Skerries RNLI rescue five children and four adults over busy weekend

Shortly after 6pm on Saturday evening the pagers sounded following multiple 999 calls to Dublin Coast Guard from the public. It was reported that there were three children in the water trying to return from Shenick island to the south beach after being cut off by the rising tide. The Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat was launched and made it’s way around the headland at Red Island before heading for Shenick.

As the lifeboat approached the island, they could see the children making their way along the sand bar back towards the island. A sea kayaker had seen the situation unfolding and landed on the island to convince the children to come out of the water and back to dry land. The lifeboat was carefully maneuvered into the shallow waters before the volunteer crew assisted the children into the lifeboat. A quick first aid assessment determined that they were very cold but otherwise unharmed. They were brought safely ashore at the lifeboat station where they were reunited with their parents who had been brought to meet them by member of Skerries Coast Guard Unit.

At the time there was a force one to two easterly wind and a calm sea.

On Sunday morning (April 25), shortly before 11.30am, the lifeboat was passing Rush harbour en route to Malahide marina to carry out a planned training exercise when they received a tasking from Dublin Coast Guard. The Coast Guard had received a VHF call requesting assistance from a motorboat that had suffered engine failure near the north beach in Skerries. The lifeboat altered their course and quickly navigated back to Skerries. After a short search, they located the casualty vessel, a 17ft motorboat with four adults and two children on board, anchored off the north beach. A tow was established, and the vessel was brought safely alongside the harbour in Skerries.

At the time there was a force three to four south easterly wind blowing and a moderate chop in the sea.

Speaking about the call outs, volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for Skerries RNLI, Gerry Canning said: “It’s been a very busy few weeks for the station, but our volunteers are always ready to respond. We’d like to remind everyone out enjoying the coast in the good weather to check the tides, and always carry a means of calling for help. If you see someone in trouble, 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 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]

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.

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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

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