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AfloatDigi 2018 CHMarine SafetySection

Displaying items by tag: Medivac

#RNLI - Wicklow RNLI carried out a medical evacuation of an unwell man from a survey vessel off the Wicklow coast in the early hours of yesterday morning (2 September).

The alarm was raised after the man was suspected to have been overcome with fumes on a survey vessel working near the Codling Buoy. The all-weather lifeboat launched at 2.45am and was alongside the survey vessel at 3.12am.

Conditions in the area at the time were described as moderate sea with wind southwest Force 3.

The casualty was transferred onto the lifeboat by stretcher and as the lifeboat returned to Wicklow, the crew administered first aid and monitored the casualty.

Due to the low tide in the harbour at the time, the casualty was transferred to the inshore lifeboat and landed ashore at 3.50am. He was met on arrival by a waiting ambulance crew who took him to hospital.

Speaking after the call-out, Wicklow RNLI lifeboat operations manager Des Davitt said: "This was a typically professional response by the volunteer crew of Wicklow lifeboat, who launched within seven minutes of being paged."


The all-weather lifeboat crew launched under coxswain Nick Keogh with mechanic Brendan Copeland, Ciaran Doyle, Carol Flahive, Paul Sillery, Graham Fitzgerald and Peter McCann on board. The inshore crew were helm Barry Spencer, Dave O'Leary and Brian Sinnott. 

Published in RNLI Lifeboats
Tagged under

#Coastguard - Galway Bay FM reports that a man was airlifted by the coastguard from a Spanish fishing trawler off the Galway coast last night (5 August).

The Irish Coast Guard's Shannon-based Rescue 115 helicopter was dispatched to the trawler Brierio some 80 nautical miles west of the Irish coast to retrieve the fisherman, who The Irish Times says was experiencing breathing difficulties.

He was taken to Mid-Western Regional Hospital in Limerick for medical attention.

Published in Coastguard
Tagged under

Every Year Ireland's Search & Rescue Services deliver emergency life saving work on our seas, lakes and rivers.

Ireland's Water Safety Agencies work hard to provide us with the information we need to keep safe, while enjoying all manner of water based activities.

There's no better fun than getting out on the water but being afloat is a responsibility we all need to take seriously.

These pages detail the work of the rescue agencies. We also aim to promote safety standards among pleasure boaters, and by doing so, prevent, as far as possible, the loss of life at sea and on inland waters. If you have ideas for our pages we'd love to hear from you. Please email us at [email protected]

Think Before You Sink - Wear a Lifejacket

Accidents can happen fast on water and there may not be time to reach for a lifejacket in an emergency therefore don't just carry a lifejacket - wear it; if it's not on you, it can't save your life.

Irish Water Safety's Safe Boating Alert:

Check condition of boat and equipment, hull, engine, fuel, tools, torch.

Check the weather forecast for the area.

Check locally concerning dangerous currents and strong tides.

Do not drink alcohol while setting out or during your trip.

Carry an alternative means of propulsion e.g. sails and oars or motor and oars.

Carry a first aid kit on board and distress signals (at least two parachute distress rockets, two red hand flares).

Carry a fire extinguisher, a hand bailer or bucket with lanyard and an anchor with rope attached.

Carry marine radio or some means of communication with shore.

Do not overload the boat - this will make it unstable.

Do not set out unless accompanied by an experienced person.

Leave details of your planned trip with someone ashore - including departure and arrival times, description of boat, names of persons on board, etc.

Wear a Lifejacket at all times.

Keep an eye on the weather - seek shelter in good time.

In Marine Emergencies, call 999 or 112 and ask for Marine Rescue.

Lifejackets Checklist

Ensure Cartridges have not been punctured and are secured firmly.

Ensure all zips, buckles, fasteners and webbing straps are functioning correctly and adjusted to fit the user.

Check that fitted lights are operating correctly.

Ensure that Automatic Inflation devices are fully serviced and in date.

Check that the valve or lifejacket is not leaking.