Skerries RNLI respond to reports of swimmer in distress

Skerries RNLI were tasked yesterday afternoon at 4pm following a call to Dublin Coast Guard from a member of the public who was concerned for the wellbeing of a swimmer who had entered the water from the south beach in Rush.

The lifeboat was launched and proceeded directly to the beach in Rush. Arriving on scene, the lifeboat proceeded to carry out a rapid search of the area while proceeding towards the end of the beach initially indicated by the caller. With nothing found, two volunteer crew made their way ashore to find the caller to get a better indicator of the casualties’ location. They were informed by a member of the public that a land based Coast Guard unit were further up the beach and may have spoken to the casualty.

The Coast Guard unit confirmed that they had spoken to the swimmer and no assistance was required. The crew returned to the lifeboat and they made their way back to Skerries where the boat was washed, decontaminated and made ready for the next service.

Speaking about the call out, volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for Skerries RNLI, Gerry Canning said: ‘This was another case of a false alarm with good intent. The member of the public was genuinely concerned for the swimmer and did the right thing in dialling 999 and asking 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

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