Skerries RNLI launch to two children drifting out to sea on inflatables
Skerries RNLI were tasked yesterday afternoon (Monday 06 July) after Dublin Coast Guard received a call from the mother of two children who were drifting out to sea on inflatable dinghy’s at Laytown beach.
The volunteers launched the Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat “Louis Simson” shortly after 3pm, setting a course for the mouth of the river Nanny in Laytown, an approximate location provided by the caller.
As the lifeboat was arriving on scene, they received an update from Dublin Coast Guard that the two children had made it ashore with the assistance of a member of the public. However, the lifeboat was asked to proceed to make contact to assess if first aid assistance was required. The lifeboat discovered one of the inflatables floating off shore as they approached and they took it on board.
The lifeboat was manoeuvred into Shallow water near the beach and two of the volunteer crew made their way ashore with the first aid kit. As they were approaching the casualties, a land based Coast Guard unit from Drogheda had arrived on scene and were already providing first aid assistance. An ambulance had also been requsted as a precaution.
Dublin Coast Guard was satisfied that the situation was now under control and the lifeboat was stood down. The lifeboat recovered the two crew from the shore before returning to Skerries. On their way back to the station they encountered and recovered the second inflatable.
There was a slight swell at the time with a force four north-westerly wind.
Speaking about the call out, volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for Skerries RNLI, Gerry Canning said: ‘Unfortunately, every year there will be a number of calls to incidents involving Inflatables. They are not designed for the beach, so it’s quite easy for them to get swept out to sea. We’d ask people, if they are going to use them, please be extra cautious and always use them close to shore on a lifeguarded beach.’
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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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