A draft report into the death of Doolin search and rescue volunteer Caitríona Lucas off the Clare coast almost two years ago has found the Irish Coast Guard did not have “an effective safety management system”. It also notes that there was a similar incident involving an Irish Coast Guard rigid inflatable boat (RIB) capsizing also in a “surf zone” off Dingle, Co Kerry in 2014. The Kilkee unit had lost a number of qualified coxswains in preceding months due to “management issues”, the draft report says. The Irish Coast Guard says it cannot comment on operational and safety systems while two investigations by the MCIB and Health and Safety Authority are continuing. It has employed a health and safety officer to manage oversight of safety management systems for volunteers.

Source: The Irish Times August 25, 2018 01:52 UTC