Tag Archives: skerries coast guard

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.

Balbriggan blessing of the boats – 1st June 2014

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balbriggan_blessing_of_boats Skerries Coast Guard

This afternoon, members of the Skerries Coast Guard team attended the blessing of the boats at Balbriggan harbour. This blessing ceremony, part of the community’s annual SummerFest, was conducted by Fr Eugen Taaffe at the harbor and was attended by large crowds. The Skerries lifeboat and crew also attended the ceremony. The crew of local community website, Balbriggan.info were on hand to capture photos of the ceremony and more are available on their website – www.balbriggan.info

balbriggan_blessing_of_boats_Skerries Coast Guard

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

 

Rescue at Portrane – May 31st 2014

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Skerries Coast Guard Rescue 116

At 20:30 this evening the Skerries Coast Guard team were tasked to assist with the rescue of an injured male at Portrane, Co Dublin. The Coast Guard’s Rescue 116 Sikorsky helicopter was also scrambled from its nearby base at Dublin airport. Several units of Dublin Fire Brigade and HSE were also attending the incident on scene. The casualty appeared to have suffered injuries following a fall on the shoreline and required evacuation from the area.

Given the challenging landscape, the casualty was quickly evacuated using a highline winch transfer to the Coast Guard’s Rescue 116 helicopter.

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