Skerries RNLI respond to back to back call outs
Skerries RNLI responded to two calls for help, one immediately after the other on Sunday (24 October) afternoon, responding to three kayakers in difficulty near Portrane and then two Sailors in difficulty near Laytown.
Shortly after 2pm, Dublin Coast Guard received a 999 call from the public reporting that there was a number of people in distress on what appeared to be an inflatable off Portrane beach. Skerries RNLI, Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 116 and the Coast Guard boat from Howth were all asked to respond.
The volunteers in Skerries launched their Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat “Louis Simson” and the crew entered a route for Portrane beach. Further information then came through from the casualties to say that they had actually been knocked off their kayaks and had lost a paddle. There were three people in the water. Rescue 116 was first on scene, maintaining a visual on the casualties until the Coast Guard boat and the Skerries lifeboat arrived on scene. One of the casualties had managed to make their way ashore, the remaining two were taken on board the Coast Guard boat and brought safely back to the beach.
Just minutes later, Dublin Coast Guard re-tasked Rescue 116 and Skerries lifeboat to an incident involving a sailing dinghy near Laytown. They had received 999 calls reporting that the dinghy had capsized and were having difficulty in righting it. Clogherhead RNLI were also requested to launch.
Rescue 116 was on scene very quickly and established VHF communications with the casualty vessel. At that time they were still confident of righting the vessel and making their own way ashore. However, with the weather conditions deteriorating and a small craft warning coming into effect, Dublin Coast Guard requested the two lifeboats to continue on their course until the casualty was confirmed on shore.
Skerries and Clogherhead lifeboats both arrived on scene minutes later. The two men on the dinghy then realised that they had suffered some structural damage to the rigging of their boat and would be unable to make it ashore unaided. Skerries lifeboat took them under tow and returned them safely to the slipway at the river Nanny.
Conditions at the time were choppy with a force three to four Southerly wind.
Speaking about the call out, volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for Skerries RNLI, Gerry Canning said: ‘It was a busy afternoon for our volunteers, but thankfully both incidents had a good outcome. It was another great example of how the different agencies and flank stations work together to keep people safe on the water.’
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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