First call out of 2018 for Skerries RNLI volunteers as flares reported
Skerries RNLI volunteers pagers sounded for the first time in 2018 yesterday evening (21 January) after Dublin Coast Guard received a number of reports of a flare being sighted near Shenick Island and tasked the lifeboat to investigate.
Shortly before 9pm Dublin Coast Guard received a number of calls from members of the public reporting the sighting of a flare near Shenick Island.
Volunteers from Skerries RNLI launched their Atlantic 85 Inshore Lifeboat “Louis Simson” with Joe May at the Helm and crewed by David Knight, JP Tanner and Jack Keane. Conditions at the time were fair with a force two to three southerly wind.
The lifeboat proceeded to Shenick Island where they began a sweep of the immediate area to locate any casualties. With nothing spotted they then illuminated the island using a white parachute flare, but again there was no sign of any persons on or near the island. After a further search further up the coast towards Loughshinny, and satisfied that there was nobody in danger, the lifeboat was stood down and returned to station.
Speaking about the call out, volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for Skerries RNLI, Gerry Canning said: ‘Thankfully on this occasion, nobody was in danger and the call was a false alarm with good intention. Our volunteers are always ready to respond to the any call for help and in cases like this it’s better to be safe than sorry. We always encourage anyone who thinks someone might be in danger on the water to dial 999 and ask for the Coast Guard’
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
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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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