The final report into the death of Irish Coast Guard volunteer Caitriona Lucas off the Clare coast over two years ago is highly critical of safety management within the State’s rescue service and calls for a review of criteria for launching rescue craft. In a lengthy and detailed response, the Irish Coast Guard called on the MCIB to conduct a “thorough reappraisal” of the draft report. The Irish Coast Guard expressed concern about “confusing or misleading presentation of evidence” in relation to information on weather forecasting and sea conditions, some of which was amended in the final report. The Irish Coast Guard pointed out its rescue craft are not passenger boats and not bound by this legislation. The Irish Coast Guard said that risk is “inherent” in everything it does, and it has been working “diligently” to further enhance “robust practices”.

Source: The Irish Times December 07, 2018 03:00 UTC