Latest news with #R116
Time Out
4 days ago
- Time Out
All the dates for SANParks Week
South African National Parks is trumpeting all across social media this week, as it announces dates for annual SA National Parks Week. The initiative, which offers free entry to most of the 21 national parks across the country, will run from 22-26 September 2025, with selected Parks extending free access into the following weekend (27-28 September). But remember that free entry applies only to day visits, and does not include accommodation or activities. In the Cape, locals can look forward to free entry to the following National Parks on specified dates: Agulhas National Park: 22 – 28 September 2025 Bontebok National Park: 22 – 28 September 2025 Table Mountain National Park: 22 – 25 September 2025 (hold up: this excludes Boulders Penguin Colony, and use of the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway) Tankwa Karoo National Park: 22 – 28 September 2025 West Coast National Park: 22 – 26 September 2025 Although getting anything for free is welcome these days, it's not hard to feel that SANParks could have been a little more generous in offering the public free access to what is, don't forget, our shared natural heritage. I guess we're fortunate that SANParks Week in 2025 will coincide with the 24 September Heritage Day public holiday (last year it was held from 9-13 September), but check those dates above and you'll find that entry to the two most accessible Parks – West Coast and Table Mountain – will be limited to weekdays only. Monday to Friday. Those days when, y'know, most of us are working or studying? That's especially annoying when it comes to the West Coast National Park, where the spring flowers are in full bloom and I'm sure loads of locals would love to head out and see them without paying the R116 entry fee. SANParks says it is limiting access to weekdays and 'not extending to the weekend, as it is active Flower Season'. Well, yes, that's all the more reason to make it easier to go, right? And excluding the ever-popular Boulders Beach penguin colony from access to Table Mountain National Park? For families who can't afford the R50pp entry fee, this would be the perfect opportunity to offer a day out in nature. Making locals stump up the entire week feels a little short-sighted. If SANParks is truly hoping to 'encourage South Africans to explore their natural heritage and foster a sense of ownership' as it says, then it should be willing to throw open the gates a little wider.
The Irish Sun
20-06-2025
- The Irish Sun
Young swimmer missing off Irish coast as rescue helicopter conducting ‘comprehensive air search' & boats scanning water
A MAJOR search operation is underway this evening for a "young male swimmer" missing off the coast of Meath. The alarm was raised at 6.12pm today by a member of the public. The Department of Transport confirmed the The crew carried out a "comprehensive air search". The Drogheda They continue to search this evening alongside the Coast Guard boat. READ MORE IN IRISH NEWS A spokesperson for the Department of Transport said: "At 18.12 today (20th June) a member of the public reported a young male swimmer missing at Laytown. "Conditions were smooth with a water temperature of 16 degrees. "Dublin-based R116 helicopter and Drogheda Coast Guard Unit were tasked to respond. "R116 undertook a comprehensive air search using available endurance. Most read in Irish News "Drogheda Coast Guard Unit and Coast Guard boat are continuing to search.' Gardai have confirmed they are also involved in the ongoing operation. RNLI launch major airlift rescue of family of four after getting stranded on Irish island & ending up stuck on the rocks A "As this is an ongoing incident, no further information is available." It comes after an unrelated incident in Derry earlier this afternoon in which a It is understood the man got into difficulty swimming in the sea at Castlerock beach during the scorching weather. 'AVOID THE AREA' The The assistance of the RNLI was also requested as the PSNI asked the public to avoid the scene A PSNI spokesperson said: "Police are currently in attendance after a body was found on the beach in Castlerock today, Friday 20 June. "Cordons are in place and the public is asked to avoid the area at this time." ALARM RAISED The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service confirmed the alarm was raised via an emergency call at 3.35pm today. They said: "The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service received a 999 call at 14:35 on Friday 20 June following reports of an incident at Castlerock Beach. "NIAS despatched a Rapid Response Paramedic, 2 Emergency Crews, 1 HART Crew and an Ambulance Officer to the scene. "Ambulance Control also tasked the Charity Air Ambulance, with HEMS Team on board, to attend. 1 Searches are continuing for the boy Credit: Getty Images
Irish Post
29-05-2025
- General
- Irish Post
Crew rescued by coast guard helicopter after fishing boat sinks in Irish waters
THE crew of a fishing boat which sunk off the coast of Co. Louth have been rescued. Two people were manning the vessel, which sunk off the coast of Drogheda in the early hours of this morning (May 29). Two crew members were rescued by the Irish Coast Guard helicopter They were both successfully located and rescued by the Dublin-based Irish Coast Guard helicopter R116. 'The Coast Guard Marine Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) in Dublin was alerted shortly before midnight following the detection of an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) transmission,' a Department of Transport spokesperson confirmed. 'MRCC Dublin immediately tasked the R116 helicopter, Drogheda Coast Guard Unit, and Clogherhead RNLI to the area,' they added. The Coast Guard helicopter happened to be conducting overnight training at the time of the incident and therefore 'arrived quickly on the scene' the spokesperson added.. 'The helicopter used its night vision infra-red system, night vision goggles and other search tools to locate and recover the two casualties from the water,' they explained. 'The activation of the vessel's EPIRB and the use of NVIS technology were key aspects of this successful rescue.' Both crew members were wearing life jackets when rescued and were 'immediately transferred to the care of the HSE'.
Irish Independent
29-05-2025
- General
- Irish Independent
Rescue of two off Louth coast by coastguard helicopter
A two-person crew of a fishing vessel were successfully located and rescued by the Dublin-based Irish Coast Guard helicopter R116 early this morning, Thursday, May, 29.
Irish Daily Mirror
29-05-2025
- General
- Irish Daily Mirror
Two fishermen rescued by helicopter after boat sinks off Irish coast
Two crew members of a fishing vessel that sank off the coast of Louth were rescued by the Irish Coast Guard after an overnight search. Dedicated rescue crew attached to the Dublin- based Irish Coast Guard helicopter R116 sprang into action to assist after the vessel sank off Drogheda, in Louth. The Coast Guard Marine Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) in Dublin was alerted shortly before midnight following the detection of an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) transmission. MRCC Dublin immediately tasked the R116 helicopter, Drogheda Coast Guard Unit, and Clogherhead RNLI to the area. The Coast Guard helicopter was conducting overnight training at the time it was tasked and arrived quickly on the scene. The helicopter used its Night Vision Infra-Red System, night vision goggles and other search tools to locate and recover the two casualties from the water. The casualties, who had been wearing life jackets, were immediately transferred to the care of the HSE. The activation of the vessel's EPIRB and the use of NVIS technology were key aspects of this successful rescue. A spokesperson for the Irish Coast Guard wrote: 'The two-person crew of a fishing vessel were successfully located and rescued by the Dublin- based Irish Coast Guard helicopter R116 early this morning (29 May) following the sinking of their fishing vessel off Drogheda, Co Louth.'
