Report of possible upturned boat adrift – 13th August 2012

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This evening, the Skerries Coast Guard team were tasked to investigate a report of a possible upturned boat adrift near Skerries. A concerned member of the public had contacted the Coast Guard to report the object, drifting in the area of Barnageera Bay, approximately 2 miles North of Skerries.

The Dublin based Coast Guard helicopter (Rescue 116) was also tasked to assist with the search and conducted a thorough search of both the sea and shoreline.

The Skerries Coast Guard team conducted a coastline search from Skerries to Balbriggan, including Barnageera Bay with nothing unusual noted and no objects sighted in the water.

Both the Skerries and Howth lifeboats also assisted with the search.

Incident # 9 of 2012

Remember – if you spot someone in difficulty, even if you only think that someone could be in difficulty, dial 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard. Your call could save their life.

Skerries Coast Guard – a voluntary search and rescue unit of the Irish Coast Guard.

Marine Notice #43 of 2012 – Live air to ground firing practices at Gormonston

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The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport has recently issued Marine Notice #43 of 2012 advising of live air to ground firing practices at Gormonston, Co Meath.

The Aer Corps’ “Flying Training School”, will conduct live air to surface firing practices on the following dates;

14th August to 18th August 2012 Inclusive.
20th August to 25th August 2012 Inclusive.
27th August to 31st August 2012 Inclusive.
Time: 08:00 to 17:00 Hours daily

The danger area comprises the lands of Gormanston Aerodrome and the Air and Sea areas contained within a radius of 3 nautical miles centred on Gormanston Aerodrome with an additional area contained within a segment centred on Gormanston Aerodrome and bearing of 015º degrees true, through Mosney Railway Station and 106º degrees true, through Gormanston Railway Station seawards for a distance of 10 nautical miles. For the periods whilst the Range is active the sea zone within the danger area is excluded to all vessels.
Surface area to be engaged will be the beach area inside the D1 area at Gormanston. A Naval Service patrol vessel will enforce the exclusion zone. The exclusion zone ‘D1’ is indicated on British Admiralty Chart No. 44.

All vessels are advised that they are required to remain outside of the exclusion zone whilst the Range is active.All vessels in the area are recommended to carefully monitor the Radio Navigation Warnings that will be broadcast during the firing period.

A copy of the full marine notice is available from the Department’s website

Red flare spotted off Skerries – 31st July 2012

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Shortly before 03:00 this morning, the Skerries Coast Guard team were tasked to investigate reports of a red flare. The crew of a fishing boat off the coast had spotted the flare, appearing just north of Skerries harbour.

The Skerries team investigated the report and while no further flares were sighted, it was concluded that the flare was fired from land. No further action was required and the team were stood down.

Incident # 8 of 2012

Remember – if you spot someone in difficulty, even if you only think that someone could be in difficulty, dial 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard. Your call could save their life.

Dye trace and drogue tracking surveys – North Dublin

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As part of the Greater Dublin Drainage Project (GDD), Fingal County Council are to undertake Dye trace and Drogue tracking surveys in the Irish Sea off the coast of North Dublin. The Dye and Drogues will be released in the northern and southern outfall study areas. These areas have been identified as potential outfall areas for the GDD project. The northern outfall study area is located to the north of Loughshinny harbour. The southern outfall area is near Portmarnock.

The works commenced the week beginning 23rdJuly and will be carried out over a 2 week period subject to suitable weather conditions. Whilst both Dye and Drogues will be released within the outfall study areas, they will not remain confined to these areas and are likely to be circulated further afield due to tides and currents.

During this time a red fluorescent dye may be visible in the Irish Sea in the general vicinity of the outfall areas. Drogues will be fitted with radar reflectors and flashing beacons to aid avoidance by other navigators and will be recovered following each track. The Coast Guard will be notified in advance of any Dye and Drogue release.

This dye is non pollutant and does not pose any harm to the environment. The public should not be alarmed by its presence.

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