Skerries Coast Guard

This morning the Skerries Coast Guard team took part in routine training with the Irish Coast Guard helicopter EI-MES. The landing site selected was at Red Island, Skerries and conditions on scene were excellent.

The unusual Easterly wind provided for a challenging landing approach from the South of the Martello Tower and as always the crew of EI-MES performed an admirable job.

The Skerries Coast Guard crew were given a full ground briefing on helicopter operations, including winching techniques, equipment, communications, disembarking procedures and landing sites.

 All of the Skerries Coast Guard crew also took part in a flight around the area.

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This evening the Skerries Coast Guard team were at the newly redeveloped Springers bathing complex at Red Island, Skerries for some rescue line training.

more photos are posted in the photo gallery

Skerries Coast Guard were tasked at 21:15 this evening by the Irish Coast Guard’s rescue co-ordination centre (MRCC) to investigate a report of oil pollution on the shoreline north of Skerries. The Skerries Coast Guard team arrived on scene within minutes and located a 45 gallon drum containing a large amount of diesel near the waters edge.

The team resealed the drum, established there was no indication of diesel spill in the vicinity and removed it from the scene for specialist disposal by Fingal County Council.

 No further assistance required and the Skerries Coast Guard team were stood down by MRCC.

Incident #9 of 2008

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Two members from the Skerries Coast Guard unit have been chosen to participate in the Joint Search And Rescue (JSAR) games. JSAR is an annual competition in which teams are assessed on their ability to complete a number of search and rescue based scenarios. This year the competition will be held in Howth harbour on Saturday 10th of May.

Preparation for the event involved intensive training in Wicklow and Mullingar over the past number of months. The training covered power-boating, navigation, leadership, water and land based rescue and teamwork.

The event is open to the public and promises to be a highly entertaining day out. The theme will be “Coastguards now and then”, and will feature exciting displays from the National Transport Museum, and an array of rescue equipment from present day and years gone by.

Take a look at some photos from the JSAR 2008 event in our photo gallery

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At 16:10 this afternoon, Skerries Coast Guard were tasked by the Irish Coast Guard’s rescue co-ordination centre (MRCC) to investigate a report of two swimmers in difficulty near Shenick Island, Skerries.

A Skerries Coast Guard volunteer was on scene within minutes and observed two persons attempting to swim across the passage between Shenick Island and The South Strand. They appeared to be battling against strong tides and were drifting off course.  MRCC immediately requested the launch of the Skerries lifeboat. The lifeboat arrived on scene and took the two persons aboard.

No further assistance was required and the Skerries team were stood down by MRCC.

Incident # 8 of 2008

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Skerries Coast Guard were tasked at 15:37 this afternoon by the Irish Coast Guard’s rescue co-ordination centre in Dublin (MRCC) to assist Gardai at the North Beach in Rush. MRCC had received a report of a person on the beach requiring assistance. The Irish Coast Guard helicopter, EI-MES was tasked to the scene. MRCC also requested the launch of the Skerries lifeboat.

The Skerries Coast Guard team arrived on scene within minutes and together with local Gardai located the casualty who appeared to be suffering mild hypothermia. Skerries Coast Guard administered first aid and the casualty was assisted from the scene.

Incident # 7 of 2008

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Earlier tonight the Skerries Coast Guard team conducted a scenario based training exercise on Red Island in Skerries. The training scenario involved Coast Guard volunteers assessing, stabilising and moving a casualty, conducting scene management and VHF communication.

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At 13:20 this afternoon, Skerries Coast Guard began investigating a report of suspected pollution on the South Strand, Skerries. A member of the public had logged a call with the Irish Seal Sanctuary to report sighting an oiled wildbird  near the shoreline.

Skerries Coast Guard were tasked by the Coast Gaurd’s rescue co-ordination centre in Dublin (MRCC) to determine if there were any signs of pollution in the area. Coast Guard volunteers conducted an extensive search of the shoreline with nothing to report and were stood down by MRCC.

Incident # 6 of 2008

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On Thursday at 19:50 Skerries Coast Guard were tasked by the Coast Guard’s rescue co-ordination centre in Dublin (MRCC) to investigate a report of a yacht which was seen drifting towards rocks north of Skerries. On arrival, Volunteers found a vessel which had broke from its moorings and had already run aground on rocks. Skerries Coast Guard established the identity of the yacht, made contact with the owner and confirmed that there were no persons on board.

Visibility was good with a freshening east wind force 6-7. Team stood down by MRCC. 

Incident # 5 of 2008

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Anyone out for an evening stroll around Skerries harbour last night would have seen the Skerries Coast Guard team out in force at Red Island for some training in spinal injuries. Here are some of the photos:

Team leader supports the casualty’s neck and assigns the various tasks to the team:

Fitting a cervical collar:

Briefing the team for transferring the casualty onto the spinal board: 

Transfer completed, final check of the spider webbing that anchors the casualty onto the board:

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