Ireland's sailing, boating & maritime magazine

The Chief Executive of Water Safety Ireland, the State organisation headquartered in Galway, has retired. John Leech had been CEO for 21 years. “When I joined the organisation the 10-year annual average of fatal drownings was 185, today it is…

With both Met Éireann and the UK’s Met Office predicting disruptive weather this week due to back-to-back storms, the RNLI has urged the public to be careful at the coast. The charity that saves lives at sea is encouraging people…

The RNLI has launched its search for budding new lifeguards to start their career on some of Northern Ireland’s most popular beaches, as applications open for 2022. Recruitment for this season’s team of RNLI beach lifesavers on the Causeway Coast…

The Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, has today appointed Clare McGrath as the new Chair of Water Safety Ireland (WSI), which works to prevent drownings. Ms McGrath has been a lifelong advocate for drowning prevention and…

Twenty-four lives were saved from drowning by rescuers who were recognised at Water Safety Ireland’s online National Annual Awards Ceremony on Tuesday. Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD presented the ‘Seiko Just in Time Rescue Award’ to…

Last year Mike Meharg, George King and Allan Black set up Safer Waters, now a registered charity and not-for-profit provider of voluntary safety cover and training for recreational water users in Northern Ireland. It is a recognised RYA Training Centre…

Irish people are more likely to take water safety seriously if it doesn’t involve obeying a law. As The Sunday Independent reports, almost two decades after wearing a lifejacket first became compulsory in Ireland, legislation has proved so unenforceable that…

Following a yellow wind warning issued by Met Éireann today (Wednesday 11 August) for eight counties, the Irish Coast Guard is strongly advising the public to exercise caution. The weather alert is in place for tomorrow, Thursday 12 and Friday…

This bank holiday weekend, with more people expected to take part in water-based activities, the RNLI is sharing some advice and top tips to help people stay safe on the water, whether travelling to the coast or visiting inland waters.…

Sport Ireland and key stakeholders have come together to encourage everyone to be alert to water safety this summer. The initiative comes at a crucial time, with the August Bank Holiday approaching and the shocking news of more than seven…

In the lead-up to the August Bank Holiday weekend, the Minister of State in the Department of Transport has issued an appeal to anybody engaging in coastal or water-based activity to pay close attention to their personal safety. Today’s (Tuesday…

Diving in for a cool swim after a car journey in warm weather may seem tempting, but it multiplies the risk of drowning, Water Safety Ireland has warned. As The Sunday Independent reports, the appeal has been issued on the…

Dublin Port Company has come on board to support Water Safety Ireland for the first UN “World Drowning Prevention Day” on July 25th by illuminating Dublin’s Diving Bell in blue, one of several landmarks taking part in the global initiative…

“Get your bearings — always think water safety”. That’s what Dublin Port harbourmaster Capt Michael McKenna is urging sailors, anglers, kayakers, windsurfers, kitesurfers, paddleboarders, swimmers and jetski users to remember on the lower reaches of the Liffey and out into Dublin…

Cork County Council has joined the Irish Coast Guard and Water Safety Ireland in appealing to members of the public to be mindful of their personal safety if they’re visiting the coast this week. The three organisations have issued guidelines…

Tours of the Jeanie Johnston Famine ship in Dublin city centre were cancelled this weekend over safety issues arising from young people jumping off the tall ship’s rigging, as RTÉ News reports. The attraction’s manager John O’Neill said the anti-social…