The Press Release from the Irish Coastguard details statistics relating to the 1,876 incidents to which they responded in 2008.
Dec
28
A great turnout from club members to provide rescue cover for the event.
Dec
15
Click here for some shots from this year’s Christmas Party at the Sky Bar, Findlaters in Howth. Yule (sorry) you’ll be happy to note that “The Prop Of Doom” now occupies a prominent position at home ;-)
Sep
20
Many thanks to Les for his excellent work in updating the club logo. I think you’ll agree he’s done a fantastic job in retaining all the ingredients of the old logo while giving it a contemporary feel. It now takes pride of place on the web banner along with the CFT and CMAS logos.
Sep
20
An evening out to celebrate the club’s 25th Anniversary will take place on October 10th at the Quay 16 restaurant aboard the M.V. Cill Airne. Contact a member of the committee if interested in attending
Sep
20
The 2008 AGM will take place in the Graham Bell Suite of the Grand Hotel, Malahide on September 24th, 2008 at 8:00pm. Please let Cathal know if you are interested in putting your name forward for a committee position.
Sep
20
On May 10th, Howth Coast Guard hosted the JSAR (Joint Search & Rescue) Games 2008 between Irish and Northern Irish Coast Guards. Portmarnock Sub Aqua Club assisted with the logistical operation and had two RIBs on the water as well as a hosting an exhibit in the tented village. Click here for some shots from the day.
Aug
11
PSAC members (above) enjoy a seafood snack between dives during the club week on Valentia Island. Click here for a trip report and images.
Jul
4
The date for the pirate-themed Club BBQ has been changed to Saturday, July 19th owing to inclement conditions forecast for this weekend.
(P.S. Those of a sensitive disposition should not select “Read the rest of this entry”).
Jun
9
May
19
Click here for a trip report and images from the club’s ’08 trip to the Red Sea. Post a comment below.
May
17
For those of you who can’t wait to see the new boat, here’s a sneak preview.
Apr
8
Click here to view some underwater images shot by Fiona over the last couple of years while diving abroad.
Mar
20
The Marine Casualty Investigation Board has recommended that jet skis should be licensed and those using them should have to undergo mandatory training. The recommendations are made in its report into the death of a jetskier on Lough Beltra, Co Mayo, in 2006. The Coast Guard, in its report for last year published today, says that there was a 10% increase in jet ski accidents last year. Continued…
Mar
18
Rescues involving leisure craft and shore anglers have shown another increase in offshore and inland waters over the past year, according to latest Coast Guard statistics. The figures for 2007 show a 38 per cent rise in nuisance calls to Irish Coast Guard staff, while hoax calls are at half the level recorded almost a decade ago. Incident numbers last year involving Coast Guard staff and rescue agency volunteers were up by 154 cases on 2006. Almost half of the total number of 1,961 incidents occurred within a mile of the coast, at 958 rescues. Continued…
Mar
18
We have organized a sub committee to consider and arrange how we should celebrate PSAC 25th anniversary. If you have any ideas or suggestions which you think we should look at, please contact Leah – see Committee Page for contact details.
Mar
10
The Garda-Sub Aqua Club hosted a talk on Tuesday evening given by representatives from the Coast Guard, the Garda Water Unit and the RNLI. It was a terrific and very informative evening. The Garda Unit demonstrated a Day / Night personal flare which can be carried on a diver while on a dive down to 30m and can be deployed if in trouble as Orange smoke (day) or as a Red Light (night) and only costs about 12 euro. The Speaker from the RNLI emphasised the importance of reflective material on your person, on your SMB and on your boat.
Mar
10
I have booked the NAC for Sat 1st March for 1200. It is an excellent opportunity to practice some of your diving skills prior to the start of the season. If interested give Peter or Marie a shout.
Mar
10
The snorkel on Sunday, February 24th is at High Rock ready-to-go at 11.00am. Gary O’Hagan has kindly agreed to be DOD. Weather not looking too great but at least the temperature is up and the winds are to be light and westerly.
Mar
10
Fingal approved our application for an activities grant at their meeting last Monday, February 11th. They have approved us for the maximum amount (3,000) which will be put towards replacing our inflatable (a.k.a. Barbie!). Names for the new boat by reply please. Thanks to Donal who put in all the work on this one.
Mar
10
It is with great sadness that I inform you of the death of a great friend to CFT – Mr. Ralph White. Ralph passed away in Los Angles and will be dearly missed by all who knew him. On behalf of the Executive I wish to extend our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Mr. White. May he rest in peace. Ralph White was the film maker for Dr. Robert Ballard and one of three Americans (Dr.Ballard, Emory Kristoff and Ralph) aboard the Le Suroit, the French research vessel when they discovered the now famous wreck of the Titanic in September 1985. Most of the original film footage which you may have seen on TV over the years would have been done by Ralph White. Ralph visited Ireland on a number of occasions as a guest speaker at CFT Dive Conferences. He was a very friendly and approachable person with whom I had numerous discussions. He was a good friend to Irish divers especially Rory Golden of Flagship Scuba whom he helped join a later expedition down to the Titanic whereupon they laid a commemorative plaque from Belfast Shipyard workers on the wreck.