To carry out the functions the Coast Guard:
- Provides a marine radio distress listening service and broadcasts marine safety information
- Coordinates search and rescue in the maritime domain
- Monitors maritime traffic within Ireland’s Traffic Separation Schemes (Tuskar/Fastnet)
- Provides a Marine Assistance Service and respond to vessels in need of assistance and/or requesting a place of Refuge
- Monitors the Irish Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and intervenes as necessary in maritime casualties to prevent or minimise damage to the marine environment
- Coordinates the State’s Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Co-operation (OPRC) regime and in the event of an incident coordinates the at sea response to maritime pollution from ships and offshore installations and assists Local Authorities in the onshore response
- Provides and maintains a marine radio infrastructure
- As competent authority for the National Automatic Identification System (AIS), provides a Nationwide coverage for AIS, as required by Directive 2002/59 & 2009/17. (Feeds from the IRCG AIS go to: the Irish Naval Service, the Commissioners of Irish Lights, SEA-PT Shannon Estuary Anti-Pollution Team, Safe Seas Ireland / Safe Sea Net, the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) / the Safe Sea Net Ecosystem Graphical User Interface (SEG), Maritime Safety & Security Information System (MSSIS), the North sea server group and SILAS – the IRCG incident logging system)
- Provides support on request to the Principal Response Agencies/Principal Emergency Services in emergency response
- works closely with Safety on the Water and other key stakeholders.