Tag Archives: Callouts

Report of person in difficulty on cliff – 26th April 2011

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At 13:55 this afternoon, the Coast Guard’s maritime coordination centre received a call from a member of public reporting a person in difficulty on cliffs near Portrane. The caller reported that a person had been climbing on the cliffs near Tower Bay, Portrane and was now unable to return to safety and required assistance.

The Skerries Coast Guard team assembled at their station and departed to the scene. However, within 10 minutes of the tasking the team were stood down. Further details were reported to the Coast Guard, indicating that the person was no longer in difficulty.

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

Incident #9 of 2011

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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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