Tag Archives: Water Safety

Skerries Coast Guard warns of quarry swimming dangers

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Skerries Coast Guard is warning the public of the dangers of swimming in disused quarries. The key trend arising from accidents in recent years is that swimming is by far and away the predominant cause of fatalities in disused quarries in Ireland, with young men in their teens and early twenties accounting for the largest proportion of casualties. From examining these past accidents, swimmers appear to get into difficulty very, very quickly and disappear under the water’s surface in seconds. Too quick for their nearby friends to react and save them.

As the summer gets underway, Skerries Coast Guard is warning the public not to swim or dive in flooded disused quarries. In particular we are appealing to parents to be vigilant and warn their children of the dangers of visiting disused quarries. In the Fingal area there are several large disused quarries which can become flooded from time to time, with water depths in excess of 50 feet reported in some cases. There have been numerous reports of young people swimming in these quarry lakes, particularly when very warm weather arrives.

Recent tragedies around the country have once again highlighted the serious dangers posed by swimming in flooded quarries.  

The Coast Guard’s message is clear; never swim in quarry lakes. If you want to cool down in the open water over the summer, head to a beach which has lifeguards on duty.

Hidden dangers

It is understandable that a flooded quarry may look very appealing to young people, particularly in times of very hot weather. But beneath the calm and tranquil water surface, lurks a long list of possible deadly hazards.  Hazards that would overcome even the strongest and most competent swimmers. This can include abandoned mining machinery and cables, often only a few feet beneath the water surface. The branches from recently submerged vegetation, including trees and shrubs, can also easily entangle a swimmer. The steep margins surrounding a quarry lake make climbing out of the water very difficult, that’s even without factors such as injury, cold shock or exhaustion playing their part.

Quarry owners in Fingal area have taken appropriate and reasonable measures to prevent unauthorised access including in some cases the erection of secure perimeter fencing, warning notices and monitored cctv cameras. However, there have been reports of these obvious deterrents being willfully ignored by people still attempting to swim in those areas. It is worth remembering that these quarries are located on private lands.

Skerries Coast Guard’s familiarisation training

Earlier this year, Skerries Coast Guard engaged in several familiarization training exercises in quarries in the Fingal area. Unfortunately for the emergency services, attempting a rescue in a quarry environment would prove very difficult due to the harsh, inaccessible terrain and litany of hazards presented. Understandably, the Coast Guard would much rather focus their efforts in preventing an accident occurring.

This warning is also featured in this week’s Fingal Independent.

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

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

Marine notice #25 of 2012 – deployment of oceanographic moorings in western Irish Sea

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The Department of transport, tourism and sport has issued marine notice #25 of 2012 advising of the planned deployment of three oceanographic moorings in the western Irish Sea.

These oceanographic moorings will be collecting data for the Greater Dublin Drainage scheme of Fingal County Council.

From the 22nd May 2012 and for a period of 30 days, three oceanographic moorings will be deployed at various locations along the Fingal coast, approximately from Loughshinny to Portmarnock. The exact coordinates of each mooring is provided in the text of the marine notice, which can be accessed by clicking here.

These moorings will be visible on the surface of the water (picture shown above) and will display a light sequence of 5 yellow flashes every 20 seconds. All vessels are requested to give these moorings a wide berth.

 

Water safety talk with Balbriggan Order of Malta

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This evening, the Skerries Coast Guard team visited their local Order of Malta station at Hampton Street, Balbriggan to deliver a water safety talk to the unit’s cadets. The Order of Malta cadets are aged between 10 and 16 years and are part of the Ambulance Corp.

This highly interactive safety talk focused on lifejackets, in particular the importance of wearing them correctly and how they save lives. The cadets also learned what actions to take to safely help someone in difficulty in the water and most importantly how to raise the alarm.

During the evening, the enthusiastic cadets also had the opportunity to try on the various lifejackets and water safety equipment used by Coast Guard volunteers when they are operating near water.

Overall, the evening was very enjoyable for the cadets, with plenty of questions asked both about water safety and the Coast Guard. This water safety talk is part of a series of safety initiatives the cadets are taking part in for their Order of Malta Achievement Programme.

For more information on the Balbriggan Order of Malta, visit their website.

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

Remember – if you spot someone in difficulty in the water, even if you only think they could be in difficulty, dial 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard. Your call could save their life.

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Safety Roadshow – 25th Sept 2011

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Today members of the Skerries Coast Guard team took part in the finale of the Community Safety Weekend – The Safety Roadshow.

This roadshow was a highly interactive and enjoyable event for the local community featuring various organisations and displays. The Skerries Coast Guard team had several Irish Coast Guard rescue resources on display including an off road rescue vehicle, a full emergency medical kit, search and communications equipment . The team also had an Irish Coast Guard patrol boat on display.

The Irish Coast Guard water safety trailer was at the event, packed with free goodies and safety leaflets. The Dublin Coast Guard helicopter, Rescue 116,  also provided a dramatic flyover and aerobatical display for the crowds.

Other highlights of the event included the Road Safety Authority’s driving simulator. A chance to take a look at the high tech workings inside one of the now familar Gatso speed vans. The Skerries Coast Guard team also tested out the infamous Audi A4 rollover simulator, almost like a slow motion car crash that proves why seatbelts are so important.

The Balbriggan Fire Brigade carried out a extraction demonstration, showing up close how they can cut away car wreckage with such skill and ease thanks to their impressive array of equipment and training. The Gardai traffic Corp were on hand to offer road safety advice. Dublin Civil Defence also had their mobile command centre, fire truck and other rescue vehicles on display.

Photos of the event and the rest of the weekend’s activities are available in our online photo gallery.

Further photos are available on Balbriggan.net and Balbriggan.info

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