Tag Archives: pyrotechincs

Pyrotechnic training – Skerries – 23rd November 2016

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This evening the Skerries Coast Guard team conducted a flare firing exercise at Red Island & South Strand, Skerries. The team deployed several white parachute rocket flares as part of a search exercise of the South Strand area.

These white parachute flares reach over 1,000ft and are excellent for illuminating very large areas of shoreline. Weather conditions on scene were good with light offshore winds.

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

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

Time expired flare – North Beach, Skerries

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This afternoon, the Skerries Coast Guard team were tasked to assist with the removal of a time expired distress flare at North Beach, Skerries. A Member of the public contacted the Coast Guard having found the flare washed in by the tide. The marine flare was in poor condition and Gardai at Balbriggan removed it for later disposal by the Army’s EOD team.

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

Skerries Coast Guard - flares

Pyrotechnics training at Hampton Cove, Balbriggan

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Skerries Coast Guard training Hampton Cove, Balbriggan

This morning, the Skerries Coast Guard team conducted a pyrotechnic training exercise at Hampton Cove, Balbriggan approximately 5 miles north of Skerries. The team regularly undertake training in the handling, preparation and firing of these white parachute flares. Weather conditions on scene were excellent, with prevailing light offshore winds and good visibility.

Typically, the Skerries Coast Guard team deploy these white parachute flares during night incidents when they are very effective at illuminating large areas of the shoreline.

Remember – if you spot someone in difficulty on the shore, or even think that someone might be in difficulty, dial 999 or 112 and ask for the COAST GUARD. Your call could save a life.

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Training with Coast Guard helicopter – 2nd February 2014

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The Skerries Coast Guard team took part in a scheduled training exercise this morning with the newly launched Dublin based Coast Guard helicopter, EI-ICR. The team were also joined by the neighbouring station of Clogherhead Coast Guard for this first landing of the new Sikorsky S92 at Skerries.

The teams selected and prepared the landing site, this also included the deployment of orange smoke flares. The helicopter departed its base at Dublin airport and within minutes was on scene at the Red Island headland, Skerries shortly after 10am.

Heli briefing

Once shutdown was complete, the teams received a comprehensive operational briefing on the new Coast Guard helicopter. All Coast Guard stations around the coast would work closely with the Coast Guard helicopter on rescues and it is therefore essential to take part in regular joint training with the crews.

Further photos of the exercise are available in our online gallery.

Coast Guard S92 helicopter Red Island

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