The Irish Coast Guard responded to more than 2,500 incidents in 2024, official figures show.
On Tuesday the Department of Transport published a year-end update showing the Coast Guard co-ordinated 2,554 incidents during the year, including search and rescue, maritime casualty and pollution and preparedness responses. The figure was slightly lower than in 2023, when there were 2,788 incidents.
The 44 Irish Coast Guard units were mobilised on 1,154 occasions over the past 12 months. Critical assistance was provided to 537 people, preventing loss of life or delivering people to appropriate medical care.
The Coast Guard also collaborated with the wider search-and-rescue community during the year, with the three Irish Coast Guard Maritime Coordination Centres in Dublin, Malin and Valentia tasking RNLI lifeboats on 699 occasions and launching the inshore rescue service on 73 occasions.
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The Coast Guard provided 134 air ambulance flights in support of the State’s offshore island communities.
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This month the first two of the AW189 helicopters provided by Bristow Ireland Limited under the new aviation service contract commenced operation in Shannon. Four more helicopters are scheduled for delivery early in the new year.
In a statement, the department said this “important milestone was achieved through positive collaboration between the two contractors and the Department of Transport and support from the wider search and rescue community”.
The State’s other three search and rescue bases, at Sligo, Waterford and Weston in Dublin, are continuing the transition to the new contract and will commence operation in the first half of 2025.
The Coast Guard’s first fixed-wing aircraft will be added to its fleet “in the coming weeks”.
Joanna Cullen, assistant secretary general at the Department of Transport with responsibility for the Irish Coast Guard, said 2024 was “an important and busy year”.
“I want to thank all members of the Irish Coast Guard who have once again shown their dedication to keeping the Irish coastline safe,” she said.
“I want to particularly extend my appreciation to the staff in the three Maritime Rescue Coordination Centres, who remain vigilant both day and night and ensure our critical work continues, especially during the Christmas period when others enjoy some time off with family and friends.”
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