Tag Archives: Skerries

Report of persons stranded by tide – 25th April 2011

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At 18:12 this evening, the Skerries Coast Guard team were tasked to investigate a report of persons stranded by the incoming tide. A vigilant member of the public had contacted the Coast Guard on 999 to report two adults on a rocky island outcrop near Balbriggan. The two people appeared to be waving at passing boats, trying to attract attention.

Within minutes, the Skerries Coast Guard team arrived at the clifftop overlooking the area, known locally as “Long Leg” and quickly spotted the two persons. While it is unusual for someone to remain on the rocks with the tide coming in, the two persons were rod fishing and did not appear to be in need of assistance. Although the next high tide was due within the hour, the height of the tide would not have been sufficient to completely cover the rocks. The Coast Guard made contact with the two people by phone and established that they had planned to continue fishing while waiting for the tide to ebb, and they would then make their way back to the shore later this evening on foot.

With no further assistance required the Skerries Coast Guard team returned to base.

Remember – if you spot someone in difficulty on the coast, even if you only think that person may be in difficulty, call 112 or 999 and ask for the COAST GUARD. Your call could save their life.

Incident #8 of 2011

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Report of distress flares – 19th April 2011

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At 22:53 this evening, Skerries Coast Guard were tasked to investigate a report of distress flares sighted in the vicinity of the South Strand, Skerries. A member of the public had spotted what appeared to be two marine flares deployed in the area. The Skerries team conducted a shore search of the South Strand and nothing further was noted. Visibility in the area was good with only light winds. No further action was required and the team returned to base.

Incident #7 of 2011

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Pollution report at Skerries – 19th April 2011

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At 09:25 this morning, the Skerries Coast Guard team were tasked to investigate a public report of pollution on the North Beach in Skerries. The caller reported a murky orange substance at the water’s edge, stretching for several metres along the shore.

Upon arrival at the scene, the Skerries Coast Guard team investigated the substance and concluded it was an algal bloom – a naturally occurring phenomenon that frequently occurs on the North Beach. Given the recent good weather, the concentration of algae in the water may have increased, leading to the orange discolouration. This is also known colloquially as “Red Tide”. This poses no serious threat to humans, other than possible mild skin irritation in some cases.

The Skerries Coast Guard team conducted a detailed analysis of the algal bloom and this information will be passed to the Marine Institute in Galway to further their ongoing research into algal blooms in Irish waters.

Water sample collected from North Beach

Incident # 6 of 2011

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Search for missing fishermen – 1st April 2011

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At 18:30 on Friday 1st April 2011 the Skerries Coast Guard team were tasked by the Coast Guard’s maritime coordination centre to investigate reports of an overdue fishing vessel with two persons on board. The Coast Guard’s rescue helicopter, R116, was immediately scrambled from its base at Dublin airport. The initial at sea search was concentrated near the islands off Skerries and also involved several lifeboats and local vessels. The Skerries Coast Guard team conducted a shoreline search for several miles along the Skerries coast, and this continued into the early hours of the following morning.

This incident is ongoing and the Skerries Coast Guard team, together with Coast Guard teams from Howth, Clogherhead, Drogheda and Greenore are conducting regular and extensive shoreline searches along the coast from Rush, Co Dublin extending northwards to Greenore, near Carlingford Lough. Throughout this area, large numbers of the local public are also assisting with the search. To date, several other organisations have also been involved in the search effort including  the Civil Defence, RNLI, Garda dive unit, Navy dive unit, Aer Corps and numerous local vessels.

At 02:00 on the morning of Saturday 9th April, the bodies of these two fishermen were recovered by a fishing vessel SE of Clogherhead. The Coast Guard extends its sympathies to the families and friends of the men. Throughout the incident, the public have shown unrelenting support and dedication in assisting with the search effort and the Coast Guard would like to sincerely thank them for this.

Incident #5 of 2011

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