Bunbeg Coast Guard

08/10/2026

Some great pictures from Emergency Exercise ‘Mike’ at Donegal Airport.

Pictures thanks to Donegal Airport 🔥

07/10/2026

Last month, Bunbeg Coast Guard participated in a pre-planned multi-agency emergency exercise at Donegal Airport.

The exercise, titled ‘Exercise Mike’, was designed to test major incident response plans and further strengthen operational readiness and coordination between the agencies involved.

A particular focus this year was on the introduction of new technologies into incident response plans, with our Coast Guard Drone/UAS platform playing an important role.

Bunbeg Coast Guard Drone Team provided live aerial imagery for the duration of the exercise. This additional perspective supported incident assessment, informed decision-making and provided responding agencies with a clearer picture of the evolving situation.

It was great to work alongside our emergency service colleagues in this large-scale realistic exercise.

15/09/2026

𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞:

Bunbeg Coast Guard will participate in a Major Incident/Emergency Exercise at Donegal Airport, Carrickfinn, Co. Donegal, today, Tuesday 15 September.

The exercise, titled ‘Exercise Mike’, is a pre-planned, multi-agency exercise designed to test and enhance Airport Major Incident Response Plans, operational functionality, and coordination between the participating agencies.

A number of agencies will participate in this exercise, including Donegal Airport Operations Staff, Donegal Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting Service (RFFS), Donegal Fire Service, National Ambulance Service (NAS) and Health Service Executive (HSE), An Garda Síochána, Irish Coast Guard, Bristow Ireland Ltd, Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) and Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU) and the Department of Transport.

The Sligo-based Coast Guard Rescue Helicopter, ‘Rescue 118’, is also set to participate in this year’s exercise, subject to operational availability.

There will be no impact on the availability of emergency services as a result of this exercise, and airport operations will continue as normal.

Members of the public in the Carrickfinn area may notice increased emergency service activity, including emergency vehicles and, subject to operational availability, the presence of a Coast Guard Rescue Helicopter.

We kindly ask members of the public to please remain at a safe distance, avoid obstructing access routes, and be mindful of where you park to allow participating emergency services to operate safely.

We thank the public for their cooperation and understanding.

Go raibh maith agaibh.

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𝐀𝐬 𝐆𝐚𝐞𝐢𝐥𝐠𝐞:

Fógra Poiblí:

Mar eolas don phobal: Beidh Garda Cósta an Bhun Bhig ag glacadh páirt i gCleachtadh Eigeandála inniu, a bheas ar siul ag Aerfort Dhún na nGall.

Tá an cleachtadh seo mar chuid lárnach den ghnáth oiliúint sábháilteachta a bhaineann le foireann an aerfoirt agus na seirbhísí éigeandála áitiúla.

Go raibh maith agat as do thacaíocht agus do thuiscint le linn an ama seo.

12/09/2026

Remembering Caitríona Lucas, 10 years on.

Ten years ago today, Caitríona Lucas, Doolin Coast Guard Unit answered the call to crew a rescue boat that was launching on a tasking off the Co. Clare coast.

Caitríona tragically lost her life that day, working to return someone to their family.

Go Mairidis Beo.

28/08/2026

Everyone at Bunbeg Coast Guard would like to wish our team member, Niamh Houston, the very best of luck as she heads to the Netherlands this weekend to take part in the internationally recognised Women in SAR event.

Niamh will represent the Irish Coast Guard at this year’s International Maritime Rescue Federation (IMRF) Women in SAR Training Programme.

We are incredibly proud of you, Niamh, as we are of all the incredible women who are, and have previously been part of Bunbeg Coast Guard.

We hope you have a fantastic weekend, Niamh. Enjoy every minute of it and we can’t wait to hear all about your experience when you return! 🇮🇪

Best of luck, Niamh! 👏

25/08/2026

A new initiative to help save lives along our coastline.

The Irish Coast Guard and Donegal County Council invite you to the launch of the Coastal Location Code (CLC) Pilot Project at Narin Blue Flag Beach. The project has been developed to support faster and more accurate emergency responses by providing unique location identifiers at beaches and coastal access points.

In an emergency, beach users can simply quote the Coastal Location Code displayed on signage, helping emergency services pinpoint their location quickly when every second counts.

Pilot Project Launch:

📅 Thursday, 27 August 2026
🕑 2.00 p.m.
📍 Narin Blue Flag Beach

Everyone is welcome to attend this important milestone in coastal safety and learn more about an innovative Donegal-led project

Your Code. Your Location. Your Lifeline.

🚨 A new initiative to help save lives along our coastline

Donegal County Council and the Irish Coast Guard invite you to the launch of the Coastal Location Code (CLC) Pilot Project at Narin Blue Flag Beach. The project has been developed to support faster and more accurate emergency responses by providing unique location identifiers at beaches and coastal access points.

In an emergency, beach users can simply quote the Coastal Location Code displayed on signage, helping emergency services pinpoint their location quickly when every second counts.

📅 Thursday, 27 August 2026
🕑 2.00 p.m.
📍 Narin Blue Flag Beach

Everyone is welcome to attend this important milestone in coastal safety and learn more about an innovative Donegal-led project

Your Code. Your Location. Your Lifeline.

19/08/2026

Bunbeg Coast Guard were delighted to be present in welcoming El Galeón Andalucía, the world’s largest replica Spanish galleon, to Mullaghderg Bay recently.

This impressive ship visited the West Donegal Coast last month to remember those who sadly lost their lives when ships from the Spanish Armada sank in Irish waters over four centuries ago.

We’d like to thank the crew of El Galeón Andalucía, who welcomed some of our crew aboard and we wish them fair seas and calm winds as they continue their journey around Europe.

| Irish Coast Guard

14/08/2026

Best of luck to our former Officer in Charge (OiC), Timmy Boyle and Hugo of Sheephaven SAC who jet off to Geneva, Switzerland this weekend to take on the mighty Mount Blanc!

Stay safe lads and we hope you both enjoy the views at the summit 🏔️🇨🇭

Timmy & Hugo fly to Geneva this weekend, leaving the wetsuits and the ocean behind to take on the mighty Mont Blanc! 🏔️🇨🇭

We wish you both a fantastic adventure, safe travels and an unforgettable climb. 💪🥾🏔️ enjoy the views 🌊🥾🏔️

Good luck from all of us.

24/12/2025

Bunbeg Coast Guard was delighted to welcome the Sligo-based Coast Guard helicopter ‘Rescue 118’ to Machaire Gathlán last Sunday afternoon for an aircraft familiarisation exercise.

This marked our first opportunity to engage with the new AW189 aircraft, which is now fully operational from its base in Sligo.

Bristow Ireland declared full operational readiness at Sligo Airport on December 16th, representing a significant milestone in the rollout of the new Search and Rescue (SAR) contract for the Irish Coast Guard. With this transition complete, Sligo becomes the third Irish SAR base operating under the new contract, with Waterford due to transition in early 2026.

Once fully transitioned, Bristow Ireland will operate six AW189 aircraft from bases in Shannon, Sligo, Dublin Weston, and Waterford. The Irish Coast Guard will also operate a fixed-wing aircraft from Shannon.

We would like to sincerely thank the helicopter crew for taking time out of their busy schedule to facilitate this exercise. It was a hugely beneficial and educational evening for our members.

Our thanks also extend to our colleagues at MRSC Malin Head Coast Guard for their assistance, as well as Air Traffic Control at Donegal Airport and CLG Ghaoth Dobhair for kindly allowing us to use their football pitch.

We look forward to working alongside this highly advanced and impressive aircraft in the future.