Report of distress flares near Lambay – 25th June 2011

 

At 23:35 tonight, Skerries Coast Guard were tasked by the Coast Guard’s operations centre to investigate a report of distress flares. A vigilant member of the public near Howth had contacted the Coast Guard to report sighting what appeared to be two distress flares in the sky North of Lambay Island, off the coast of Rush. Skerries Coast Guard conducted a shoreline search of the area and no further flares were sighted. The Coast Guard helicopter R116, returning from a search South of Dublin, conducted a sweep of the area with nothing to report. The search was concluded and the Skerries Coast Guard team returned to base.

Incident #14 of 2011

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Report of vessel in difficulty – 20th June 2011

At 02:45 this morning, the Coast Guard’s operations centre received radio traffic on VHF CH16 suggesting that a vessel was in distress off the coast of Rush village, 4 miles South of Skerries. Based on the initial information received, the Coast Guard tasked the Skerries Coast Guard team to conduct a shoreline search of the area. Other vessels in the immediate area included a Fishing boat and crews working on the East-West power interconnector rig and platform. These crews also maintained a lookout. Visibility was excellent, with strong breaking light, only very slight winds and a calm sea. Following the extensive search nothing unusual was found and the Skerries team were stood down.

Incident #13 of 2011

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Rescue off Skerries coast – 12th June 2011

At 19:40 this evening, the Coast Guard received a report of two adults in need of assistance off the coast of Skerries. The two adults were spotted departing on two motor dinghies the previous evening and had not returned, their vehicles still parked up at the shore, raising concerns. The Skerries Coast Guard team were immediately tasked to begin a coastal search. Fortunately, local Gardai were able to trace the identities of the two through their car registration numbers and the Coast Guard was able to make contact with the two adults and establish their exact location

The two had ventured out to St Patrick’s island, off the Skerries coast and planned to return on the Sunday, however poor weather conditions had hampered their plans. The Skerries lifeboat was requested to return them safely from the island to Skerries harbour where they met with a Coast Guard team. Thankfully both adults were unharmed.

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

Incident # 12 of 2011

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Pollution report – 23rd May 2011

This morning, the Skerries Coast Guard team were tasked to investigate a suspected pollution report near Donabate beach. A concerned member of the public had contacted the Coast Guard’s operations centre to report a large block of an unusual waxy grey substance on the beach. The size of the substance was approximately 0.25 cubic metres. As further information was received from the caller at the scene, the Coast Guard determined that the substance was likely to be ambergris, a naturally occurring digestive substance secreted by certain whales. This substance poses no danger to humans. A request was made for Fingal County Council to attend the scene and remove the item from the beach.

Remember – if you spot something unusual on the beach, dial 112 or 999 and ask for the COAST GUARD.

Incident # 10 of 2011

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