Skerries RNLI tasked to swimmers in distress near Donabate

Skerries RNLI were tasked by Dublin Coast Guard on Saturday afternoon (28 November) following a 999 call from concerned members of the public who reported a group of swimmers in distress off Donabate.

The volunteer crew launched the Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat “Louis Simson” shortly before 3pm following a request from Dublin Coast Guard to investigate the reports of swimmers in distress. The position was given as Donabate beach and drifting north.

The lifeboat rounded the headland at Red Island and plotted a course for Donabate. The Coast Guard rescue helicopter R116 and Skerries Coast Guard were also tasked to the incident.

As the lifeboat was passing Rogerstown estuary, they were contacted by Dublin Coast Guard who informed them that R116 had made contact with the swimmers and confirmed that they were not in any difficulty. All search and rescue assets were stood down and the lifeboat returned to the station where it was washed down, sanitized and made ready for the next launch.

At the time there was a force three to four north-easterly wind with a slight sea swell.

Speaking about the call out, volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for Skerries RNLI, Gerry Canning said: ‘There has been a marked increase in the number of people taking up sea swimming this year, and as a result there have been increased demands on all the search and rescue organisations. Thankfully in this case it was a false alarm, but it’s a good opportunity to remind people to be aware of the additional challenges that apply to sea swimming at this time of the year.’

RNLI media contacts

For more information please telephone Gerry Canning, Skerries RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 087 988 4965 or email [email protected] or Nuala McAloon, RNLI Ireland Media Officer on 087 648 3547 or email [email protected] or Niamh Stephenson, RNLI Ireland Media Manager on 087 1254 124 or [email protected]

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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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