Maritime SAR Services

29/04/2018

We had some absolutely brilliant conditions for running an Irish Sailing Advanced Powerboat Course with additional SAR modules in Kinsale over the weekend for members of the Old Head of Kinsale & Seven Heads Unit.

This course with added SAR content aims to strengthen the navigation and command skills of Trainee Coxswains as they progress towards taking on Deputy Coxswain duties.

The favourable weather made for enjoyable passage plans by both day and night which were planned and run by the participants. Well done to the guys for the long hours put in over the weekend!

27/04/2018

Last night we carried out a night exercise in Dublin Bay with members of the Greystones unit who were completing their Irish Sailing Advanced Powerboat Course.

Well done to the 2 participants for successfully completing their navigation plan. Conditions were perfect with flat seas, good visibility and lots of shipping traffic for us to see and identify coming in and out of Dublin Port.

23/04/2018

We were in Cork this weekend running an Irish Sailing Coastal Navigation Course from Crosshaven for members of the Goleen and Old Head of Kinsale units.

This course builds on the navigation knowledge of Trainee Coxwains to prepare them for the Advanced Powerboat Course. It covers techniques to ensure safe navigation of the boat on passages and introduces participants to navigation techniques required to carry out safe and effective searches afloat too.

Thank you to the Crosshaven unit for hosting the course.

13/04/2018

We were back in Drogheda yesterday evening running part 2 of a Trainee Crew SAR Skills Course.

This was an afloat session which focuses on essential safety practices such as use of PPE and safe positioning. It also includes exercises in the core procedures of Launch and Recovery, Man Overboard and Anchoring.

Well done to the 3 Trainee Crew members on completing the course!

10/04/2018

Tonight we were running part 1 of a Trainee Crew SAR Skills Course for volunteers in Drogehda.

This focuses on boat familiarisation, checking & donning of PPE, seamanship skills and shore drills for launch and recovery.

This course is designed to give participants the underpinning knowledge required to keep themselves safe whilst taking part in unit exercises as a Trainee Crew member.

09/04/2018

This week we ran one of our frequently held team workshops. In addition to reviewing and developing our programmes and resources we are dedicated to our personal and professional development.

Last night some of our Senior Instructor panel conducted an area search exercise focusing on the safety management techniques required to conduct a safe and effective search exercise at night. The conditions were absolutely superb making for a very enjoyable night!

28/03/2018

We were in Schull again last night with another group of Coxswains completing the Night element of their Advanced SAR Course.

We got cold but super conditions for refreshing night navigation skills and training in the command and control skills required to safely and affectively conduct Area Searches at night.

Thanks to the unit for hosting us this week.

27/03/2018

Last night we were afloat working with the unit in Schull conducting Area Searches at night to complete an Advanced SAR Course for Coxswains.

These exercises require the crew to work together to achieve a safe and effective search while also using their navigation skills to keep the boat within a safe area of operation throughout the exercise as plotted ashore in the station before launch.

26/03/2018

Over the weekend we were delivering and Irish Sailing Advanced Powerboat Course for the Greystones unit conducting navigation exercises in Dublin Bay on Saturday and SAR exercises in Greystones on Sunday.

This course is designed to follow on from the Coastal Navigation course and further train participants to navigate the boat safely by both day and night in a practical setting.

In the Search & Rescue environment these are key skills required for those training towards the Deputy Coxswain role to support the Coxswains navigation and maintain a high level of operational safety afloat.

23/03/2018

As well as working on the coast delivering courses we also have to spend some time in the office planning.

It’s coffee break time with our personalised mugs! 😂

12/03/2018