The Irish Coast Guard has saved over 400 lives in 2018, and successfully completed over 1,100 missions by volunteer units.

The number of lives saved has risen by over 17 per cent from 340 in 2017 to an excess of 400 this year, according to the service's end of year report.

The coastguard’s three rescue coordination centres at Malin Head, Valentia Island and Dublin managed a total of 2,650 incidents in the past year, compared to 2,503 incidents in 2017.

By the end of the year, coastguard helicopters will have flown in over 670 missions, 119 of these on behalf of the Health Service Executive.

Helicopter servisces also assist An Garda Síochána and mountain rescue teams with inland searches for missing persons and medical evacuations.

Coastguard helicopter services operate a fleet of Sikorsky S92 helicopters out of bases in Dublin, Shannon, Waterford and Sligo.

In 2018, the coastguard flew a total of 102 medical missions from islands to the mainland, 35 more than in 2017.

The national network of volunteer units has a membership of approximately 1,000, and volunteers we called on a total of 1,185 separate missions throughout the year.

The units deliver rescue boat, cliff rescue and shoreline search services, as well as supporting communities during local emergencies such as during Storm Emma in March.

Volunteers provided emergency transport to health care staff, conducted patient transfers and provided support to isolated homes.

Coastguard Director Chris Reynolds said: "I want to particularly acknowledge the commitment and professionalism of our volunteer members.

"In addition to the three core services that they provide they are an integral part of community resilience and continually act as the Eyes and Ears of our RCCs in assessing and responding to any coastal emergency."

Reynolds also reiterated their core safety message of Stay Afloat – Stay in Touch.

"If you can raise the alarm and you can stay afloat then you have an outstanding chance of being rescued by our world class rescue service.

"If you see somebody in trouble or if you think they are in trouble at sea, on the water or along the coast Dial 112 and ask for the COAST GUARD."

The Irish Coast Guard highlights the importance of never engaging in any boating activity without wearing a fully serviced life jacket or personal flotation device.

When heading out on the water, people must have the capacity to raise the alarm via a VHF radio, Personal Locator Beacon or mobile phone, and inform a colleague of the anticipated return time.