IT upgrade set to boost coastguard capabilities

The Irish Coast Guard has unveiled a new information system across its operations which, it is hoped, will allow them to streamline how rescues are coordinated and resources are deployed.

In any one year, the coast-guard expects to handle 2,500 marine emergencies; assist 4,500 people; and save 200 lives. It decided in recent months to tender for a new incident management system and has now opted for the Oversee system which has been created by Critical Software.

According to the developers, Oversee will boost the coastguard’s incident management as well as its search and rescue functions. It will be used in the National Maritime Operations Centre (NMOC) in Dublin and the coast guard’s two rescue coordination sub centres in Malin and Valentia.