Marine rescue services are having to cope with two hoax calls every month, according to the Irish Coast Guard.
Although there has been a slight fall in the number of such false alerts compared to 2003, "one hoax call is one too many, the Minister of State for the Marine, Mr Pat "The Cope" Gallagher, said yesterday.
He warned that anybody caught making such calls would feel "the full rigours of the law" when he released details of Irish Coast Guard activity for 2004.
Statistics for last year show that false alerts accounted for 23 call-outs, compared to 30 in 2003. The Minister expressed disappointment at the 11.94 per cent increase in call-outs to assist pleasure craft.
Referring to the recent growth in marine leisure, he said that people must wear life jackets, and should be fully trained in their respective pursuits and be fully aware of safety procedures.
"By not putting their own lives at risk, recreational users can ensure that they are not putting at risk the lives of our emergency services personnel," Mr Gallagher said.
The figures show a 16 per cent decrease overall in the number of people assisted or saved, with Valentia Coast Guard in Kerry proving to be the busiest station last year.
Irish Coast Guard coastal units were called out on 594 occasions, compared to 658 call outs in 2003 and there was a 20 per cent increase in Irish Coast Guard helicopter missions.
This is because a contracted Irish Coast Guard helicopter replaced the Air Corps helicopter at Sligo in October 2004.
Before being pulled out of search and rescue altogether, Air Corps crews performed 62 missions in the north-west.
Voluntary crews on RNLI lifeboats were also busy, with 698 call-outs last year, compared to 703 in 2003, while community inshore rescue boats were called out on 77 occasions. Mr Gallagher expressed his sympathy to those families who had lost loved ones at sea and reiterated his intention to make safety a priority.
"Whether it be legislative change, new codes of practice, media campaigns or improved equipment, I will continue to promote the water safety agenda and to ensure further improvements in this important area."
Mr Gallagher paid tribute to Irish Coast Guard personnel and those working with them.
"Yet again 2004 has shown the high calibre of people we are fortunate to have in our Coast Guard service - truly brave,dedicated and professional people," he said.
