Tag Archives: coastal search

Missing person at Portrane beach – 27th September 2010

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At 19:17 this evening, the volunteers of Skerries Coast Guard were tasked to investigate a missing person report. A vigilant member of the public had contacted the Coast Guard on 999. They had spotted a person entering the water on Portrane beach and minutes later noted that they had failed to return. The Coast Guard immediately launched a major rescue operation, tasking all of the State’s emergency services to the area (Gardai, Fire Brigade, Ambulance, and Coast Guard rescue teams). The Coast Guard helicopter, Rescue 116, based nearby at Dublin Airport was scrambled to the scene. The Howth all weather lifeboat was on exercise in the area and was also requested to assist. With darkness falling rapidly, a search of the Portrane shoreline commenced. Fortunately, the person was quickly spotted and rescued from the water some distance from the shore. The casualty was evacuated from the scene for medical treatment.

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

Incident # 23 of 2010

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Report of persons stranded by tide – 27th September 2010

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At 02:55 this morning, the volunteers of Skerries Coast Gaurd were tasked to respond to an incident. The Coast Guard’s rescue coordination centre had received a 999 call from a distressed member of the public to report that they had been cut off by an incoming tide and were in urgent need of assistance. With little details available to determine the exact location, the Coast Guard tasked several search teams to assist in locating the individual. Fortunately, more information was received in due course which pinpointed Laytown beach as the person’s location. As this was outside the team’s response area, no further action was required by the Skerries team. Coast Guard teams and Gardai from the Laytown area effected the rescue.

Incident # 22 of 2010

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Report of flares – 7th September 2010

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At  22:50 this evening, the volunteers of Skerries Coast Guard were tasked to investigate reports of distress flares deployed near Skerries harbour. A 999 caller had reported the flare sighting to the Coast Guard’s coordination centre in Dublin.

The Skerries Coast Guard team conducted a search of the harbour area with nothing unusual noted. No further distress flares were sighted in the area. The Skerries team were subsequently stood down and returned to base.

Remember – if you spot someone in difficulty on the cliffs or coast, or even if you think you see someone in difficulty – call 112 or 999 and ask for the COAST GUARD.

Incident # 19 of 2010

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Major joint rescue training – 28th August 2010

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This morning, the volunteers of Skerries Coast Guard joined forces with their flank station of Howth, and together with the Balbriggan Order of Malta, staged a major rescue training exercise. This was the first time that Skerries Coast Guard and the Order of Malta medics  have held joint training and it proved very worthwhile and successful.

The exercise was based on the scenario of an injured person requiring rescue from a remote cove in Loughshinny, about 3 miles South of Skerries. At high tide, this cove is only accessible by boat, and so in this instance required a water borne deployment of the rescue team. The Skerries Coast Guard rescue team boarded the Howth Coast Guard patrol boat at Skerries harbour. The team were then quickly deployed to the scene at Loughshinny.

Once on scene, the Skerries Coast Guard team located, assessed and stabilised the casualty. As suspected spinal injuries were involved, the casualty required full spinal immobilisation. The rescue team treated other minor fracture and bleeding injuries the casualty had suffered. The key priority being to stabilise the casualty’s condition, until the arrival of the medics, when full spinal immobilisation and evacuation could take place.

The Howth boat collected the Order of Malta EMT medics from Loughinny pier and transferred them to the scene.

Once on scene, the medics assumed control of the casualty care. The casualty’s fractures were immobilised in splints and full spinal immobilisation was also effected. Oxygen therapy was also provided.

 

Once the casualty was sufficiently treated, the priority then moved to evacuating to the waiting ambulance at the pier. Together with the help of the boat team, the casualty was successfully transferred to the Howth boat and arrived safely on the pier to the waiting ambulance.

The scenario was repeated, allowing for a change of personnel in the teams.

Overall the exercise was a great success, proving immensely challenging and realistic. In particular, the Coast Guard would like to thank the Balbriggan Order of Malta for their enthusiastic contribution to the exercise.

More photos are available in our online photo gallery.

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