West Cork Underwater Search & Rescue

West Cork Underwater Search & Rescue You can contact West Cork Underwater Search and Rescue by emailing [email protected]

The West Cork Underwater Search and Rescue unit consists of a dedicated team of volunteers whose objective is to search for missing people underwater and recover them for their families. The unit was originally established in response to the Tit Bonhomme tragedy off Union Hall, West Cork in January 2012. Recognising the need to support the local sea-going community, a group of experienced divers b

ased in West Cork founded the West Cork Underwater Search and Rescue unit to respond to situations like Tit Bonhomme. Our purpose and aim is to provide underwater search and rescue expertise in a range of situations, including water rescues, searches for missing people and be able to provide support at incidents as required. We want to share our dedication for providing the best possible care to the people and the communities in which we live, work and play. The unit works closely with other underwater search and rescue organisations including the Naval Service and Garda diving teams. The unit also closely liaises with the Irish Coast Guard, RNLI and Civil Defence search teams during call outs.

10/05/2026
05/05/2026

Our unit coxswains, Aodh O Donnell, Muireann O Donnell and Garry Minihane - Photography were on a training exercise this morning out of Baltimore when they came across a school of Basking Sharks. Thanks to Garry Minihane - Photography for capturing these absolutely amazing video clips.

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1FYW5RUph2/

WCUSAR divers Ian Beavon, Patrick J Hurley, Eamonn Barry and John Murphy carried out low visibility search training exer...
03/05/2026

WCUSAR divers Ian Beavon, Patrick J Hurley, Eamonn Barry and John Murphy carried out low visibility search training exercise in Lough Hyne, West Cork this morning. Underwater conditions were as expected for Lough Hyne but a temp of 12C was welcome.

Thanks for Lorna Beavon for taking the photos

Volunteer divers from West Cork Underwater Search and Rescue carried out search and recovery training with Cork West Civ...
20/04/2026

Volunteer divers from West Cork Underwater Search and Rescue carried out search and recovery training with Cork West Civil Defence in Baltimore Harbour yesterday. We used our Baltimore based 5m Ribcraft dive RIB while Cork West Civil Defence used their RIB team and drone team as part of the exercise. The prime goal of the exercise was to find the Search and Rescue Manikin and recover it to the Cork West Civil Defence RIB team.

We had perfect conditions for the exercise with 12C water temp and occasional underwater visibility of .5m.

West Cork Underwater Search & Rescue would like to sincerely thank the great team from Cork West Civil Defence for making this such a successful exercise. We look forward to training with them again soon.

Thanks for our West Cork Underwater SAR and West Cork Sub Aqua divers who participated in the ex.

And a special thank you to the Cork West Civil Defence for sharing some of their photos and drone footage with us.

14/03/2026

Today, we remember Captain Dara Fitzpatrick, Captain Mark Duffy, and technical crew, Ciarán Smith and Paul Ormsby, the four crew of the Irish Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 116, who lost their lives on March 14th 2017 while serving our community.

Their commitment to the service will never be forgotten. Our thoughts are with their families, friends, and colleagues during this time.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

22/02/2026
14/02/2026

Last night we handed over €2723.00 the proceeds of our annual Christmas swim to West Cork Under Water Search and rescue, Eamonn Barry senior diver accepted the cheque on behalf of the group. We were delighted to support such a worthy charity!! West Cork Underwater Search & Rescue

27/01/2026

📣 Notice to Mariners No. 1 of 2026

To all ship owners, shipmasters, agents, fishing vessels, pleasure craft users, seafarers, fishery organisations and general port users:

Mariners are advised that South Cardinal “Mealbeg”, Ireland South Coast, Baltimore Harbour,
(51° 29.710’ ; 009°24.688’W) is currently unlit.

➡️ https://www.corkcoco.ie/en/public-notices/notice-to-mariners-no-01-of-2026

A big thank you to all hardy swimmers in Crookhaven who took part in the local New Year's Day Swim in aid of our dive un...
01/01/2026

A big thank you to all hardy swimmers in Crookhaven who took part in the local New Year's Day Swim in aid of our dive unit! We are deeply grateful for the communities support of West Cork Underwater Search and Rescue.

Many thanks to unit members Aodh and Muireann for representing us in Crookhaven today.

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Baltimore Road
Skibbereen

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