Our Team
Extensive Experience. Operational Expertise. Professional Training.
Meet the people delivering specialist marine training and operational support throughout Ireland
Donnchadh Mac Cobb
Managing Director | Senior SAR Trainer | Senior Instructor Trainer
Donnchadh leads search and rescue training at Safe Water Training, bringing extensive frontline experience from 15 years with the Irish Coast Guard and five years with the National Ambulance Service. An experienced instructor developer, he specialises in SAR training, instructor development and professional marine training. Donnchadh combines extensive operational experience with expertise in marine training, instructor development and training standards. As well as leading the company's SAR training capability and developing new instructors, he is an appointed Irish Sailing Instructor Trainer across multiple disciplines and serves as an Irish Sailing Training Centre Inspector. His background in maritime search and rescue, emergency medical response and crew resource management informs his practical approach to training, operational decision-making and safety. Key qualifications and appointments: Senior Instructor Trainer Sailing, Powerboat, Motorboat and Personal Watercraft Instructor Trainer Sport Ireland Coach Developer Instructor Irish Sailing Training Centre Inspector QQI Level 6 Award in Training Delivery and Evaluation (Distinction) National Qualification in Emergency Medical Technology — Emergency Medical Technician Category B Commercial Endorsement Irish Coast Guard Marine Long Service Medal CRM Training (Irish Air Corps)
Rob Landers
Senior SAR Trainer | Powerboat Instructor Trainer
Rob brings extensive practical search and rescue experience to Safe Water Training, combining over a decade of powerboat instruction with ten years of frontline voluntary service with Dun Laoghaire RNLI. He plays a key role in delivering specialist SAR training and developing instructor capability nationwide. Rob began his maritime journey through dinghy sailing before qualifying as a Powerboat Instructor in 2007. He subsequently gained extensive experience working with commercial training centres and Irish Sailing clubs throughout Ireland. In 2008, Rob joined the Dun Laoghaire RNLI crew, spending the following ten years serving as Helm on the station's inshore lifeboat and crewing its all-weather lifeboat. This frontline operational experience, combined with his instructional background, gives him a strong practical understanding of maritime operations and search and rescue. As a senior member of Safe Water Training, Rob contributes to specialist SAR programmes, instructor development and training projects across the country. Key qualifications and appointments: Irish Sailing Powerboat Instructor Trainer Sport Ireland Coach Developer Instructor Senior Powerboat Instructor Advanced Powerboat Instructor Safety Boat Instructor Dive Boat Instructor Personal Watercraft Instructor RYA Radar Instructor
Alex Deacy
Powerboat Instructor | Dive Boat Instructor | Marine Operations
Alex combines a lifelong interest in boating with practical experience across marine services, dive boat operations and commercial construction environments. With a background in marine salvage, vessel maintenance and a major construction project at Dublin Port, he brings a hands-on understanding of working vessels and the demands of operating in marine environments. Alex has been around boats from an early age, starting out on his father's sailing boat on Lough Corrib before progressing to cruising Irish coastal and inland waters under sail and power. He has covered much of Lough Corrib in his own sailing boat and competed in several Cong–Galway sailing races. Through his work in his family's marine business, Alex has gained practical experience in marine salvage, repairs, maintenance, consultancy, boatyard operations, storage and yacht brokerage. He has also contributed to a major construction project at Dublin Port, gaining experience in a large-scale commercial marine environment. At Safe Water Training, Alex delivers powerboat and dive boat training while continuing to develop his expertise in commercial marine operations and instruction. Key qualifications and credentials: Irish Sailing Powerboat Instructor Dive Boat Instructor Irish Sailing Advanced Powerboat Certificate Category B Commercial Endorsement