Busy weekend for Skerries RNLI as volunteers tasked on three separate occasions

Shortly after 3pm on Sunday afternoon (18 June) Dublin Coast Guard received reports that a number of people were in the water, having been cut off by the rising tide. Skerries RNLI were tasked and the volunteers launched their Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat with Conor Walsh at the Helm and crewed by Stephen Crowley, Steven Johnston and Peter Kennedy.

The lifeboat was on scene within a matter of minutes and immediately located a man and woman struggling to make their way ashore. The man was chest deep in water while the woman was holding on to his shoulders and kicking her legs to stay afloat.

They were assisted into the lifeboat where the crew began first aid assessments and protected them from the elements. Once it was established that all others in their group had made it safely ashore, the lifeboat brought the man and woman back to the station where they were further assessed. They were cold from having been in the water for a length of time, but were otherwise unharmed. After a period of monitoring, they left the station safe and well.

Shortly after 4.30pm on Saturday (17 June) afternoon, Skerries RNLI were tasked by Dublin Coast guard after a member of the public dialled 999 to report a child in an inflatable boat drifting out to sea near Gormanston. The lifeboat was launched and proceeded to make their way to the location given. However, while they were on route they received an update that some swimmers in the area had managed to help the child ashore and the lifeboat was stood down. The lifeboat returned to the station and was made ready for the next call.

Late on Sunday evening, the pagers sounded for the third time in two days, after a call was received by Dublin Coast Guard informing them that a man in a distressed state had entered the water in Rush. However, before the lifeboat could be put to sea our volunteers were stood down as the man had been safely assisted ashore.

Speaking about the call outs, Lifeboat Press Officer for Skerries RNLI, Gerry Canning said: ’We’ve been enjoying some fantastic weather lately. This means we may have more people making the most of our coastline. We’d encourage anyone visiting the area to check the local tides and always be aware of their surroundings and the dangers they might present.’

RNLI media contacts

For more information please telephone Gerry Canning Skerries RNLI volunteer lifeboat press officer on 087 988 4965 email [email protected] or Niamh Stephenson RNLI Public Relations Manager on 087 1254 124 or 01 8900 460 email [email protected] or Nuala McAloon RNLI Press Officer Tel: 087 6483547 email: [email protected] or contact RNLI Public Relations on 01202 336789

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The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.

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