- The Irish Coast Guard, RNLI and Water Safety Ireland have united for World Drowning Prevention Day on 25 July.
- 37 people have lost their lives in Irish waters this year.
- The Coast Guard has coordinated more than 1,700 incidents and saved 385 lives.
- The second week of July recorded 140 incidents, one of the highest weekly totals.
- Safety advice includes checking tides, swimming with others and wearing a lifejacket.
The Irish Coast Guard, RNLI and Water Safety Ireland have joined together ahead of World Drowning Prevention Day on 25 July to remember those who have lost their lives in Irish waters. July 2026 is on course to be one of the busiest months in many years, with record levels of activity and numerous callouts for teams on the coast. 37 people have lost their lives in Irish waters this year.
Recent warm weather has brought significantly more people to Ireland’s beaches, rivers, lakes and coastline, leading to a sharp increase in demand for Coast Guard services and lifeguard interventions. So far this year, the Coast Guard has coordinated more than 1,700 incidents, resulting in 385 lives saved and over 1,600 people assisted. The second week of July alone saw the Coast Guard coordinate 140 incidents, one of the highest incident totals recorded in a single week.
The organisations are urging everyone planning activities on or near the water to be prepared and understand the risks. Safety advice includes checking weather forecasts and tide times, choosing lifeguarded waterways, being aware of rip currents, entering water slowly to avoid cold-water shock, supervising children constantly, avoiding alcohol, wearing a lifejacket, and carrying a means of calling for help. In an emergency, dial 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.
