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AfloatDigi 2018 CHMarine SafetySection

Search & Rescue, Water Safety - News from the Marine Safety Agencies
Approved Training Course Providers Under STCW 78/95. (Amended)
Marine Notice No. 33 of 2013  This Marine Notice Supersedes Marine Notice No. 50 of 2008 Amended 04/10/2013 Notice to all Shipowners, Fishing Vessel Owners, Agents, Shipmasters, Skippers, Fishermen, Yachtsmen and Seafarers Approved Training Course Providers under STCW 78/95 The…
Fisherman Rescued By RNLI Crew Meets His Rescuers - And Owes His Life To Lifejacket Initiative
#RNLI - A fisherman whose boat sank in minutes has thanked several organisations who implemented and trained him on using a lifejacket for saving his life.  Samuel Cully, a fisherman from Portavogie, was in the water for 45 minutes after…
Live Surface to Air Firing Practices at Gormanston Air Defence Range, Co. Meath.
Marine Notice No. 48 of 2013 Notice to all Shipowners, Fishing Vessel Owners, Agents, Shipmasters, Skippers, Fishermen, Yachtsmen and SeafarersLive Surface to Air Firing Practices –Gormanston Air Defence Range, Co. Meath. The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport has been…
STCW Convention & Code "The Manila Amendments" - Security Training
Further to Marine Notice No 42 of 2011 this Marine Notice provides specific information on the implementation of the 2010 Manila Amendments to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers 1978 , (STCW), as amended,…
'Reindeer Runs' Return To Raise Funds For Irish Lifeboats
#RNLI - The hugely popular RNLI Reindeer Runs have returned to raise funds for the charity that saves lives at sea. The event has fast become a favourite with families, runners and walkers, many of whom dress up in antlers…
Clifden RNLI Crewman Shares Lifesaving Skills On Danish Lifeboat
#RNLI - Clifden RNLI volunteer crewmember James 'Digger' Mullen was selected from thousands of RNLI volunteers to represent the charity last month on a European Lifeboat Crew Exchange in Denmark. Lifeboat crew from seven European countries were invited on a…
Applications for Authorisation to act as Recognised Security Organisation (Ports)
#ports – The Marine Survey Office (MSO) of the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport wishes to authorise Recognised Security Organisations - RSO (Ports) for the period 1 st January 2014 to 31 st December 2018.   The authorisation will…
RNLI to Trial New Lifeboat Station at Union Hall in Cork
#rnli – The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) has announced that it is to trial a new lifeboat station at Union Hall in south west Cork. At a meeting of the RNLI Board of Trustees the decision was taken to…
Maritime Security Measures for Vessels Operating on Domestic Voyages in Ireland
#Marine Notice –  No. 61 of 2013. This Marine Notice supersedes Marine Notice No.16 of 2007 Notice to all Owners/Operators of Passenger Ships, Cargo Ships engaged on Domestic Voyages in Ireland, Masters, Local Authorities and Harbour MastersMaritime Security Measures for Vessels…
Stunning Sea Rescue Photography Exhibition Coming to Dublin
#rnli – An outdoor exhibition showcasing striking photos of the lifesaving work of the RNLI in Ireland and the UK will be displayed on Grand Canal Square Dublin from Friday 15 November to Monday 2 December. The unique display will…
Enniskillen RNLI Launch After Light Aircraft Ditches in Upper Lough Erne
#lifeboat – Lifeboat crew at Enniskillen RNLI launched this afternoon (Friday 15 November) when a small aircraft reported that it was in trouble and about to ditch in Lough Erne. The lifeboat crew based at Carrybridge on Lough Erne launched…
Marine Notice No. 64 of 2013 This Marine Notice supersedes Marine Notice No. 45 of 2011   Notice to all Manufacturers, Authorised Representatives, Importers, Distributors and Private Importers involved in placing on the market and/or putting into service Recreational Craft…
Marine Notice: Clarification Of Dyslexia Policy for Maritime Training
#MarineNotice - Marine Notice No 65 of 2013 gives notice to all masters, officers and seafarers in the Mercantile Marine and to those involved in maritime training and medical assessments of clarification of the dyslexia policy for examination and assessment…
Marine Notice: Construction Works At An Daingean Fishery Harbour Centre
#MarineNotice - Marine Notice No 66 of 2013 concerns construction works at An Daingean Fishery Harbour Centre in Co Kerry, which were set to commence on or around last Friday 6 December 2013, weather permitting. These ongoing works will involve…
    Marine Notice No. 67 of 2013     Notice To All Ship Owners, Managers, Agents, Masters, Seafarers, Approved Doctors, Medical Referees And Training Establishments   Amended Seafarer Medical Certificate - Form 3 (ENG11) from 1 January 2014  …
Marine Notice No. 01 of 2014 – STCW Convention and Code "The Manila Amendments" - Security Training. It was intended that Marine Notices No. 50 to No. 59 would be published as part of a series being issued concerning the changes to…

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.