The Irish Coast Guard has said it responded to 2,554 incidents which included search and rescue, maritime casualty responses and pollution and preparedness responses. It was an extremely busy year for the Irish Coast Guard as its 44 units were mobilised on 1,154 occasions over the past 12 months.
They provided critical assistance to 537 people over 2024, preventing loss of life and/or delivering people to appropriate medical care.
The Irish Coast Guard continued to support communities across the country by providing 134 air ambulance flights in support of the offshore island communities.
It also collaborated with the wider search and rescue community throughout 2024, with the three Irish Coast Guard Maritime Coordination Centres in Dublin, Malin and Valentia tasking Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) lifeboats on 699 occasions and launching the community inshore rescue service on 73 occasions.
In December, the first two of the AW189 helicopters, provided by Bristow Ireland Limited under the new aviation service contract, commenced operation in Shannon. Another four helicopters are scheduled to be delivered in early 2025.
The priority of the phased transition to the new contract was ensuring the safety of the helicopter crews, Irish Coast Guard members and other stakeholders who will be working alongside the helicopters.
The other three SAR (Search and Rescue) bases are continuing the transition to the new contract and will commence operation in the first half of 2025.
The Coast Guard will also be welcoming the first fixed-wing aircraft to the IRCG fleet in the coming weeks.
Assistant Secretary General at the Department of Transport with responsibility the Irish Coast Guard, Joanna Cullen, said: “2024 was an important and busy year for the Irish Coast Guard. I want to thank all members of the Irish Coast Guard who have once again shown their dedication to keeping the Irish coastline safe.
“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.”
