Malin Head Coast Guard station co-ordinated 753 operations in 2025

The Irish Coast Guard provided life-saving or critical medical assistance to 1,941 people during 2025, as it responded to almost 2,800 incidents nationwide, its annual report has revealed.

The scale of that work is reflected locally in the activity of the Malin Head Marine Rescue Co-Ordination Centre, which oversaw 753 incidents during the year - an average of more than two emergencies every day across the north-west.

The figures are contained in the Irish Coast Guard’s annual report, which details how the service responded to 2,793 incidents in total during 2025. These ranged from search and rescue operations and maritime casualties to medical evacuations, pollution response and preparedness activity.

Of the incidents recorded, 1,163 were co-ordinated by Marine Rescue Co-Ordination Centre Dublin, 877 by Valentia in Kerry, and 753 by Malin Head, which has responsibility for Ireland’s entire north-west coastline, an area regularly exposed to some of the most challenging sea and weather conditions in the State.

Across the country, the Coast Guard’s 44 volunteer units were mobilised on 1,187 occasions during the year, continuing to play a vital role in protecting both coastal and inland communities. Coast Guard helicopters conducted 933 missions in 2025, including 190 air ambulance flights in support of offshore island communities.

Collaboration remained central to Coast Guard operations, with RNLI lifeboats launched on 798 occasions, while the Community Inshore Rescue Service was activated for 121 taskings.

Read more: Malin Head MRCC co-ordinated the search and rescue operation in which two teenagers lost their lives on Lough Swilly

The report describes 2025 as a “dynamic and demanding” year, marked by extreme and unpredictable weather that placed unprecedented pressure on emergency services. Flooding, coastal emergencies and severe storm conditions required rapid and highly co-ordinated responses across multiple regions, including the north-west.

A significant milestone was reached in aviation capability during the year, with new AW189 helicopters, operated by Bristow Ireland, commencing operations from bases in Shannon, Dublin and Sligo. Fixed-wing operations also went live from Shannon in September 2025, significantly enhancing national coverage.

“2025 was a year that truly tested the Irish Coast Guard,” Joanna Cullen, assistant secretary general at the Department of Transport responsible for the Irish Coast Guard, said. “The extreme weather conditions demanded rapid, co-ordinated responses, and I am proud of how our teams rose to the challenge.

“These advancements, combined with the dedication of our volunteers and partners, ensured communities across Ireland received life-saving support when it mattered most.”