Visit to Fingal Lifeguards – 6th June 2015

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Skerries Coast Guard vehicle

This morning, the Skerries Coast Guard team paid a visit to all the Fingal lifeguard stations in our response area. This included lifeguard stations at Donabate/Portrane, Rush, Skerries & Balbriggan. This weekend marked the start of the summer season for the lifeguard beaches. The Skerries team distributed safety posters and Coast Guard “missing children” wristbands to the lifeguards. Despite the sunny weather, the fresh gales deterred all but the kitesurfers from heading out on the water.

Remember – you should always swim at beaches where lifeguard are on duty and do heed their advice for the prevailing conditions.

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

Coast Guard helicopter visit to Scoil Moibhi – 29th May 2015

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This morning, the Skerries Coast Guard team assembled at the Hills Cricket Club, Skerries to prepare the landing site for a visit from the Coast Guard’s Dublin based Sikorsky S92 helicopter. The Skerries team were joined by their fellow Coast Guards from Clogherhead.

Shortly before 09:30, the helicopter made radio contact with the Coast Guard ground team to confirm its imminent arrival. Orange smoke flares were deployed at the site, to assist the helicopter crew with assessing wind speed & direction. The Sikorsky helicopter landed on several moments later, the first time a Coast Guard helicopter had ever landed at the immaculate grasslands of the cricket club site.

The purpose of the visit was to allow the excited pupils of the nearby Scoil Moibhi National School an opportunity to explore the impressive helicopter up close and learn more about the work of the Coast Guard.

The Coast Guard extends its sincere thanks to all at the Hills Cricket Club for allowing us the use of their club lands for the visit.

Darkness into light 5km, Skerries – 9th May 2015

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Skerries Coast Guard Darkness Into Light 2015

This year, eight members of the Skerries Coast Guard team once again joined thousands of others across the country for the annual Pieta House Darkness into Light 5km on Saturday 9th May.

This year, the town of Skerries hosted its first ever Darkness into Light, with the route starting and finishing at Red Island, beside the Skerries Coast Guard station. Starting just after 4am, the 5km route meandered through the village before arriving back along the South Strand for a memorable sunrise over the Skerries Islands.

For more information on the annual Darkness into Light event visit www.dil.pieta.ie. For information on the work of Pieta House and the vital services they provide please visit their website www.pieta.ie

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

Report of jetskier in difficulty, Skerries harbour – 22nd April 2015

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This evening, the Skerries team were tasked to investigate reports of a jetskier in difficulty near Skerries harbour. Several vigilant members of the public had contacted the Coast Guard on 999 having spotted the person in difficulty in the water. The Coast Guard’s National Maritime Operations Centre immediately tasked the Skerries Coast Guard team along with the Skerries ILB. Fortunately, a local boat onscene in the harbour area was able to render immediate assistance and bring the person to safely to shore, no further action was required.

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