The Irish Coast Guard has issued a water safety appeal asking people to take precautions to ensure their safety, in, near or on the water, both coastal and inland this weekend.

Met Éireann issued a marine craft warning for the West Coast for the upcoming Bank Holiday, with expected winds of force 6 or higher.

The Irish Coast Guard has asked those who are planning to participate in coastal and water-based activities to check the weather forecast.

"Plan activities based on the forecasted wind and sea conditions to ensure these activities are safe and enjoyable," it said.

The emergency response service said it is important to ‘Be Summer Ready’ and "ensure that boats and other water vessels, including kayaks and canoes, are suitable for the forecasted conditions".

"Ensure that everything is in good working order and that engines have been serviced, with all equipment, particularly lifejackets / personal floatation devices (PFDs), in good condition."

The Irish Coast Guard. Image: Irish Coast Guard

SAR Systems Development Officer Derek Flanagan said he would like to remind individuals of “the need to check the weather and tides before heading out on the water or visiting the coast".

"There was an unusually wet and windy start to the August Bank Holiday weekend. Exercise caution and take extra time to plan for water-based activities in the coming days and don’t be tempted to take chances if the weather is not as expected.

"Scuba divers and swimmers should wear brightly coloured swimming caps and use surface marker buoys to improve visibility.

"Swimmers and divers should be aware of the relatively strong tides over the weekend and plan their activities carefully.

"Always tell a person ashore of your plans and the time you expect to return, ensure they know what to do and who to call if you don’t return as planned. Have a plan to call for assistance if anything goes wrong, call early don’t delay.”

Irish Coast Guard Helicopter in exercise with RNLI Lifeboat (J Orr / Alamy Stock Photo)

The Irish Coast Guard asked those out on a boat, or other water vessel, to "wear a lifejacket, and carry a reliable means of communication – a VHF radio and ideally a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) or Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) with mobile phone back up".

"Ensure that you tell someone where you are going and when you plan to be back.

"Please refer to the Code of Practice for the Safe Operation of Recreational Craft which can be accessed here.

This site also provides important information about water safety, weather and tides and what to do in an emergency situation.

If you see somebody in trouble on the water or along the coast, or think they are in trouble, dial 112 or use VHF radio CH 16 and ask for the Coast Guard.