Tag Archives: Callouts

Report of red flares – 11th June 2014

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At 23:00 this evening the Coast Guard’s National Maritime Operations Centre (NMOC) received several independent public reports of red flares sighted off the Fingal coast. The exact location of the flares was difficult to pinpoint, however it was believed they were fired on the coastline area between Rush and Malahide.

The Skerries Coast Guard team were tasked to investigate and immediately began a comprehensive shoreline search of the area. Several Skerries Coast Guard search teams were deployed and the area (including Loughshinny, Rush, Rogerstown Estuary, Portrane, Donabate and Malahide Estuary) were thoroughly searched. The Howth lifeboat was also tasked to the area and carried out a detailed at sea search with the assistance of a private vessel. Howth CGU were tasked to search south of Malahide.

No further flares were sighted or anything unusual noted. Conditions on scene were very good with clear visibility and only light SW winds. All search teams were stood down in the early hours of the morning and returned to base.

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

Kitesurfer in difficulty – 24th May 2014

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Rescue 116

Shortly before 18:00 this evening, the Coast Guard’s Maritime Coordination Centre received public reports of a kitesurfer in difficulty near Shenick Island, Skerries. The concerned 999 callers reported to the Coast Guard that while the kitesurfer was close to shore, they appeared to have difficulty with their equipment.

The Skerries Coast Guard team were paged to the scene and the Coast Guard’s Rescue 116 helicopter was scrambled from its nearby base at Dublin Airport. The Skerries lifeboat was also requested to assist. The Skerries Coast Guard team arrived on scene within minutes and quickly located the stricken kitesurfer, who was wading slowly towards shore, assisted by two other kitesurfers.

The Skerries Coast Guard team assisted the casualty from the water and established that they were uninjured. No further assistance was required and Dublin Coast Guard stood down all rescue assets. The Skerries Coast Guard team assisted the kitesurfer recover all their equipment back up the beach.

The kitesurfer had earlier suffered a problem with their kite safety line while close to the South Strand beach and sensibly ceased surfing and began making their way ashore when the alarm was raised.

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

Vessel aground near Malahide Estuary – 4th May 2014

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Coast Guard

This morning, the Skerries Coast Guard team were tasked to investigate reports of a private vessel with 5 persons on board aground north of Malahide. The Howth RNLI ILB was also tasked to attend the scene.

The Skerries team arrived on scene and quickly located the vessel which was hard aground on sand off the coast north of Malahide. With a falling tide, all persons on board were rescued by the Howth ILB and brought safely ashore to the Skerries Coast Guard team. Fortunately all 5 persons were uninjured.

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

Vessel aground at Balbriggan – 24th April 2014

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Update 22:00 Friday 25th April 2014

FV Shirley Anne arriving into Balbriggan harbour under town from the FV Saint Elizabeth

FV Shirley Anne arriving into Balbriggan harbour under tow from the FV Saint Elizabeth

The FV Shirley Anne was successfully taken under tow to Balbriggan harbour this evening. After the afternoon’s repairs by the owner the FV successfully refloated on the evening’s high tide. The Skerries Coast Guard team monitored the towing operation from the nearby cliffs of Bremore. The Skerries lifeboat put a crew member on board the FV and assisted with establishing the tow with another FV, the Saint Elizabeth,  from Balbriggan harbour. Both FV arrived safely back into Balbriggan harbour shortly before 22:00. Clogherhead lifeboat also stood by in the area during the towing operation.

Update – Friday 25th April 2014Balbriggan FV

At first light this morning, the Skerries Coast Guard team checked on the grounded fishing vessel again. No pollution was noted in the area and the vessel remained intact and unmoved. Attempts will be made by the vessel’s owners to recover the vessel later today. The Coast Guard’s Dublin based helicopter, R116, also carried out an aerial observation of the area this morning. Further inspections are planned by the Coast Guard throughout today.

Balbriggan FV 2

Thursday 24th April 2014

At 21:30 this evening the Skerries Coast Guard team were tasked to assist with a report of a fishing vessel with 3 persons on board aground north of Balbrigan harbour. The razor fishing vessel “Shirley Anne” was holed and listing heavily. Conditions on scene, whilst reasonabley calm, were extremely challenging with thick fog resulting in limited visibility (<50m).

The Skerries Coast Guard team arrived at the scene within minutes and quickly located the vessel, lying offshore on rocks. Unfortunatey the team were unable to reach the vessel however communications links were established. The Coast Guard’s helicopter at Dublin airport was also tasked to the scene, however with the deteriorating weather conditions the crew were unable to deploy the winch to the fishing vessel. Gardai from Balbriggan also attended the scene at the shoreline.

Both the Skerries and Clogherhead lifeboats were tasked to the scene, and although hampered by the poor visibility, the Skerries lifeboat reached the striken vessel and recovered the three crew members safely aboard. Fortunately all 3 were uninjured.

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