This morning, the Skerries Coast Guard team were tasked to investigate a suspected pollution report near Donabate beach. A concerned member of the public had contacted the Coast Guard’s operations centre to report a large block of an unusual waxy grey substance on the beach. The size of the substance was approximately 0.25 cubic metres. As further information was received from the caller at the scene, the Coast Guard determined that the substance was likely to be ambergris, a naturally occurring digestive substance secreted by certain whales. This substance poses no danger to humans. A request was made for Fingal County Council to attend the scene and remove the item from the beach.
Remember – if you spot something unusual on the beach, dial 112 or 999 and ask for the COAST GUARD.
Incident # 10 of 2011