Most commonly reported Work Activities

•   Assisting and Caring for Others Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
•   Performing General Physical Activities Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
•   Performing for or Working Directly with the Public Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
•   Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
•   Documenting/Recording Information Entering, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
•   Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
•   Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
•   Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
•   Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
•   Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Working Life

The Irish Coastguard co-ordinates all civil search and rescue operations around the Irish coastline. Coastguard stations around the coast use high technology equipment to maintain watch 24 hours a day. They also respond to '999' emergency phone calls.  
 
The Irish Coastguard is responsible for:  
 
- Developing, promoting and enforcing high standards of marine safety  
- Minimising the loss of life among seafarers and coastal users  
- Minimising the risk of pollution from ships  
- Where pollution occurs, minimising the impact on Irish interests  
- Sends information about tides and weather to ships  
 
The Irish Coastguard employs radio officers and operation officer. They also have many trained volunteers who participate in search and rescue.  
 
Coastguard operation officers maintain constant watch on international distress signals. They carry out coastal searches and are also responsible for leading and supervising cliff rescue teams.  
 
Watch assistants have a support and administrative role in the operational centres. They respond to emergency calls, monitor equipment, update logs and provide information to the general public.  
 
Coastguard volunteers have an interest in and concern for safety of life at sea. They receive training to respond to coastal incidents.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Patrol or monitor recreational areas, such as trails, slopes, or swimming areas, on foot, in vehicles, or from towers.
• Rescue distressed persons, using rescue techniques and equipment.
• Contact emergency medical personnel in case of serious injury.
• Examine injured persons and administer first aid or cardiopulmonary resuscitation, if necessary, using training and medical supplies and equipment.
• Warn recreational participants of inclement weather, unsafe areas, or illegal conduct.
• Maintain quality of pool water by testing chemical levels.
• Complete and maintain records of weather and beach conditions, emergency medical treatments performed, and other relevant incident information.
• Instruct participants in skiing, swimming, or other recreational activities and provide safety precaution information.
• Inspect recreational equipment, such as rope tows, T-bars, J-bars, or chair lifts, for safety hasards and damage or wear.
• Inspect recreational facilities for cleanliness.

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

 Realist

Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.

Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.

To become a coastguard you must first complete a course in maritime radio techniques then gain experience at sea. You must be qualified in seafaring up to the rank of second in command on a ship. You also need experience in search and rescue. Most people enter the coastguard after serving in the Navy. After being accepted into the coastguard training will be complete in 3 years Ireland's Coast Guard.
 
Volunteers are trained in search: boat trade, first aid/ life saving techniques, map reading, ship communications, navigation, and rock climbing Check Local Coastguard Units. 

Entrants to a career path in the coastguard, may progress into this from a shipping company. They may will sponsor You onto a training programme. Training varies according to the employing company. Some develop via Irish Naval Pathways or by Specific Skills building via Ireland's Mercantile Marine. 

Key Skills Certs:

• Radio & Communications
• Health & Safety at Sea 
• Navigation 

Seafarers & Maritime Skills

New entrants usually begin work for a company as Juniors. Training continues at Sea and Ordinary Seamen may attend college for additional courses and qualifications. Training usually lasts for one to two years.

The National Maritime College of Ireland (NMCI) and Cork Institute of Technology (CIT) are the designated national centres for the education and training of personnel for the Merchant Navy.

A Certificate in Navigational Studies (Seamanship) which will suit school leavers and those with experience of working aboard merchant ships or fishing vessels - NMCI click here. 

It is likely that you will be required to undergo Garda Vetting. Garda Vetting forms are submitted through the employer and cannot be completed by the applicant prior to employment.

Career Development 

Your skills & knowledge of Maritime career can be developed via courses in one of Ireland National Fisheries & Maritime centre [BIM] Bord iascaigh Mhara

IMDO Career Development Pathways:

Mercantile, and Maritime career Development:  

• Engineer 
• Broker 
• Ships Officer 
• Ship Executive 

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €31k - €58k

Salaries vary by employer, role, duties, location, and experience in lkine with relevant local service pay scales. 

Data Source(s):
PublicJobs/ Gov.ie / LGMA

Last Updated: March, 2024

Note: The following information relates to occupations that include: Officers in armed forces; Senior officers in fire; ambulance; prison and related services; NCOs and other ranks Fire service officers (watch manager and below); Prison service officers (below principal officer); Police community support officers; Protective service associate professionals n.e.c.

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Employment in this occupation has been declining annually since 2020. Those working in this occupation are primarily employed within the public sector and, as such, any employment growth will be dependent on future Government funding. Budget 2023 allocated funding for an additional 100 prison service officers.

• Public Appointments Service

  • Chapter House, 26/30 Abbey Street Upper, Dublin 1, D01 C7W6
  • (01) 858 7400 or Local: 1890 44 9999
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Irish Coast Guard (IRCG)

  • Coast Guard Headquarters, Department of Transport, Leeson Lane, Dublin 2.
  • (01) 678 3454
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here