Rescue at Portrane – May 31st 2014

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Skerries Coast Guard Rescue 116

At 20:30 this evening the Skerries Coast Guard team were tasked to assist with the rescue of an injured male at Portrane, Co Dublin. The Coast Guard’s Rescue 116 Sikorsky helicopter was also scrambled from its nearby base at Dublin airport. Several units of Dublin Fire Brigade and HSE were also attending the incident on scene. The casualty appeared to have suffered injuries following a fall on the shoreline and required evacuation from the area.

Given the challenging landscape, the casualty was quickly evacuated using a highline winch transfer to the Coast Guard’s Rescue 116 helicopter.

Remember – if you spot someone in difficulty on the coast, dial 999 or 112 and ask for the COAST GUARD. Your call could save a life.

Kitesurfer in difficulty – 24th May 2014

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Rescue 116

Shortly before 18:00 this evening, the Coast Guard’s Maritime Coordination Centre received public reports of a kitesurfer in difficulty near Shenick Island, Skerries. The concerned 999 callers reported to the Coast Guard that while the kitesurfer was close to shore, they appeared to have difficulty with their equipment.

The Skerries Coast Guard team were paged to the scene and the Coast Guard’s Rescue 116 helicopter was scrambled from its nearby base at Dublin Airport. The Skerries lifeboat was also requested to assist. The Skerries Coast Guard team arrived on scene within minutes and quickly located the stricken kitesurfer, who was wading slowly towards shore, assisted by two other kitesurfers.

The Skerries Coast Guard team assisted the casualty from the water and established that they were uninjured. No further assistance was required and Dublin Coast Guard stood down all rescue assets. The Skerries Coast Guard team assisted the kitesurfer recover all their equipment back up the beach.

The kitesurfer had earlier suffered a problem with their kite safety line while close to the South Strand beach and sensibly ceased surfing and began making their way ashore when the alarm was raised.

Remember – if you spot someone in difficulty dial 999 or 112 an ask for the COAST GUARD. Your call could save their life.

Darkness into light – Malahide Castle, 10th May 2014

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At 4am this morning, seven members of the Skerries Coast Guard team joined thousands others at Malahide Castle to begin the 5km Darkness into Light walk in aid of Pieta House. Thankfully the rain clouds held off for a memorable sunrise over the Castle.

Over 4,500 people took part in the walk at Malahide Castle and nationally some 80,000 turned out across the country to show their support for such a worthy cause.

For more information on the work of Pieta house and the services they provide, please visit their website www.pieta.ie

Skerries Coast Guard – a voluntary coastal rescue unit of the Irish Coast Guard

Skerries Coast Guard at Malahide Castle after completing the 5km darkness into light walk

Skerries Coast Guard at Malahide Castle after completing the 5km darkness into light walk

Vessel aground near Malahide Estuary – 4th May 2014

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Coast Guard

This morning, the Skerries Coast Guard team were tasked to investigate reports of a private vessel with 5 persons on board aground north of Malahide. The Howth RNLI ILB was also tasked to attend the scene.

The Skerries team arrived on scene and quickly located the vessel which was hard aground on sand off the coast north of Malahide. With a falling tide, all persons on board were rescued by the Howth ILB and brought safely ashore to the Skerries Coast Guard team. Fortunately all 5 persons were uninjured.

Remember – if you spot someone in difficulty dial 999 or 112 and ask for the COAST GUARD. Your call could save their life.