Skerries RNLI Rescue teenager blown out to sea

Skerries RNLI were tasked along with Coast Guard Helicopter R116 after Dublin Coast Guard received a 999 call from a member of the public saying that there was a person in the water off Gormanston beach, north of Balbriggan and that they appeared unable to get back to shore.

The volunteer crew in Skerries launched their Atlantic 85 Inshore Lifeboat “Louis Simson” and proceeded directly to the Gormanston area. The rescue helicopter arrived on scene just before the lifeboat and was able to pinpoint the casualty’s location and guide them in.

There were two people clinging to the paddle board when the lifeboat arrived, a teenage male who was in difficulty, and an experienced sea swimmer who had swam out to the teenager in order to assist him and keep him calm. The crew helped both people on board and then took the paddle board into the lifeboat. The swimmer was insistent that he was ok and asked to be dropped to shore. However, the teenager had been in the water for a considerable amount of time and was very cold. It was decided that the best course of action would be to bring him back to the lifeboat station.

At the lifeboat station, they were greeted by the Lifeboat Honorary Medical Officer, Dr. Seamus Mullholland and an awaiting ambulance, both of whom had been called as a precaution. He was treated for symptoms of mild hypothermia and monitored closely for a period of time. Skerries Coast Guard unit collected the boy’s mother in Gormanston and transported her to the lifeboat station. Once they were reunited, the were soon on their way.

Speaking about the call out, volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for Skerries RNLI, Gerry Canning said: ‘The young man in this case was caught out by a sudden change in the conditions. Thankfully he was wearing a lifejacket and someone on shore knew to dial 999 and ask for the Coast Guard. And while we would recommend that you never enter the water to help someone, we would like to thank the swimmer who assisted the boy for keeping him calm and encouraging him to stay with his board until help arrived’

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 Regional Media Manager Ireland on 087 1254 124 or 01 8900 460 email [email protected] or Nuala McAloon RNLI Regional Media Officer Ireland Tel: 087 6483547 email: [email protected] or contact RNLI Public Relations on 01202 336789

Key facts about the RNLI

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.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.