Tag Archives: Callouts

Report of swimmer in difficulty, Skerries – 26th June 2013

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At 17:00 the Coast Guard’s operations centre received  report of a possible swimmer in difficulty in the area of Colt Island, Skerries. The Skerries Coast Guard team were tasked to investigate and the Skerries lifeboat was also launched. Conditions in the area were difficult for swimming, with a strong Spring ebbing tide. Fortunately the situation was quickly resolved, as a nearby kayaker assisted the swimmer in reaching the safety of the South Strand shoreline.

Incident # 12 of 2013

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

Report of persons in difficulty – 24th June 2013

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Shortly before 21:00 this evening the Skerries Coast Guard Unit were tasked to investigate a report of persons in difficulty in the water between Shenick Island and the mainland at Skerries. A concerned member of the public had spotted a group of youths in the deep water, making their way in to the shore from Skenick Island.

The Coast Guard team investigated and quickly located the group who had reached the South Strand shoreline. All were ok and not in need of assistance. However, the Coast Guard spotted a small group huddled together on another offshore Island, Colt Island. The Skerries lifeboat was requested to check on this group and all was ok, they were kayakers taking a break on the Island.

No further action was required and the Coast Guard team returned to base.

With the Summer Solstice Spring Tides occuring over the next few days, the low tides in the Skerries area will be unusually low. While Shenick Island may appear inviting for a walk across, the public should be mindful that the tide floods very quickly in the area and they run the risk of being stranded.

Incident # 11 of 2013

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

Whale stranding, Gormanston – 20th June 2013

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Skerries Coast Guard were tasked this morning to assist with efforts to refloat a live stranded Pilot whale at Gormanston Beach following a request from the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group. A large Pilot whale, approximately 25 ft in length, was stranded in shallow water on the beach.

Thanks to a combined and considerable “hands on” effort from members of Skerries Coast Guard, the Army (from Gormanston Camp), Irish Whale & Dolphin Group, Boyne Fishermen’s Rescue, Skerries lifeboat and members of the public the whale was successfully refloated from the beach.

The Coast Guard’s Rescue 116 helicopter was already airborne in the area and maintained observations on the whale’s progress from a safe distance. Once refloated, the whale made good progress swimming out to sea.

RTE News reported on the whale rescue in their 6 o’clock news bulletin, featuring an interview with Skerries Coast Guard’s Gary Creighton, who assisted with the rescue. A second, smaller whale was discovered later in the day, deceased on Mornington Beach. The news report is available to view on the RTE website.

Skerries Coast Guard RTE Whale rescue

Incident # 10 of 2013

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

Person in difficulty, Balbriggan Harbour – 19th June 2013

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Shortly before 18:00 this evening the Skerries Coast Guard team were tasked to investigate reports of a person in difficulty at Balbriggan harbour. The Coast Guard’s National Maritime Operations Centre in Dublin had received a 999 report from a member of the public of a person in difficulty in the water.

Fortunately, shortly before the arrival of the emergency services, a member of the public at the harbour assisted the casualty from the water. A Coast Guard helicopter, R116, was on exercise nearby and was on scene within minutes, lowering a winchman to assist with the rescue.

The Skerries Coast Guard team arrived at the harbour, along with Balbriggan DFB, Swords DFB Ambulance, and Balbriggan Gardai. The casualty was initially treated at the scene by advanced paramedics and then brought to hospital.

Local website, Balbriggan.info, has some photos of the rescue.

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

Incident # 8 of 2013

Balbriggan harbour high tide