The Coast Guard helped save 474 lives last year, according to the organisation’s end of year statement, published on Thursday.
The statement records an overall increase of 12 per cent in the number of incidents coordinated during 2021 with the biggest increases in activity in April and July.
In April crews responded to 249 incidents in comparison to 139 in April 2020. In July crews responded to 469 incidents, in comparison to 339 for the same period in 2020. From September onwards, activity was similar to 2020.
The total number of incidents coordinated is expected to reach 2,970 in comparison with 2,665 in 2020. Incidents can include prepared flight transfers between hospitals as well as the more recognised rescuing of people from the sea or cliff edges.
One of the more notable incidents of the year was the successful rescue, by the Waterford-based coast helicopter R117, of seven crew members from a fishing vessel that sunk off the southwest coast in March. This operation, which was supported by Naval Service and the RNLI resulted in the presentation of national bravery awards to the four helicopter crew. In addition, R117 crew member Sarah Courtney was awarded a silver medal for her role and actions as “winchman” in severely challenging weather conditions.
The Coast Guard was also notified of 68 drownings in 2021, a reduction of seven on 2020 figures.
The 44 volunteer Coast Guard units were tasked on over 1,400 occasions during the year.
Further development in the use of drones provided the Coast Guard units with an enhanced search capability, according to the end of year statement.
Coast Guard helicopters provide day and night services out of Dublin, Waterford, Shannon and Sligo and were tasked to a total of 886 missions in comparison with 794 missions in 2020.
The RNLI is categorised as a declared resource to the Coast Guard, which means that each individual station can be directly requested to respond to individual incidents. RNLI lifeboats were tasked on 911 occasions while Community Inshore Rescue Boats services participated in 117 different incidents.
The Marine Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) in Dublin processed 171 satellite beacon alerts including EPIRBs the Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon used by fishing boats; PLBs (Personal Locator Beacons) and ELTs (Emergency Locator Transmitters).
During 2021 the Coast Guard conducted two inter - agency, major emergency exercises, entitled Blue Mist in April off the East Coast and Blue Kingdom in September off the southwest Coast. Both exercises required a multi-agency response led by the Coast Guard in conjunction with other emergency services, local authorities and other supporting organisations.
Coast Guard Director Eugene Clonan said “ the capacities to raise the alarm and stay afloat” , were “ central to the prevention of drownings at sea or on inland waterways.” He said the Coast Guard’s core safety message was Stay Afloat - Stay in Touch.
“We are indebted to the men and women that make up our Search and Rescue community, for the discipline and commitment they have demonstrated in facing the challenge presented by Covid and in maintaining service availability throughout the year,” said Mr Clonan.
