Fethard on-sea Coast Guard Unit
The purpose of the IRCG is to establish, promote and enforce safety and security standards, and by doing so, prevent as far as possible, the loss of life at sea, and on inland waters, mountains and caves, and to provide effective emergency response services and to safeguard the quality of the marine environment.
The Irish Coast Guard (IRCG) has responsibility for our national system of marine emergency management in Ireland's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and inland waterways. It is responsible for response to, and coordination of, maritime accidents which require Search & Rescue and Counter Pollution & Salvage operations. It also has responsibility for vessel traffic monitoring.
Operations in respect of maritime security, illegal drug trafficking, illegal migration and fisheries enforcement are coordinated by other bodies within the Irish government.