Three call outs in 24 hours for Skerries RNLI
Skerries RNLI responded to their third emergency in 24 hours yesterday evening (Friday 12 August) when they were tasked by Dublin Coast Guard to stand by a small boat on Donabate strand as it refloated after running aground earlier in the day.
Shortly after 8pm, The Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat “Louis Simson” was launched, by the volunteers and a course was set to navigate through the islands and south towards Donabate.
As the lifeboat was en route they received an update from the Coast Guard that the vessel had begun to float. There was one man on board, and he had managed to start his engine and was proceeding towards Malahide. The lifeboat was requested to escort him to Malahide, however, as they were nearing the scene, they received a further update that the vessel was taking on water.
The lifeboat arrived on scene to find that the boat was now fully submerged in shallow water, with the man standing on the deck waving his torch to try and attract their attention. The Helm manoeuvred the lifeboat as close as possible and a crew member made their way on to the boat to assess the man’s condition. While he did not require medical assistance, it was decided that it would be unsafe to attempt to tow the boat, or to transfer him to the lifeboat in the dark, the safest course of action would be to walk him back to the beach. The volunteer crew escorted him safely to the shore where he was greeted and further assisted by Skerries Coast Guard Unit.
Earlier in the day, shortly after 11am, Skerries RNLI were tasked to assist when a person had become trapped on the cliff face at Loughshinny. The lifeboat was on scene in a matter of minutes and stood by in case the man slipped and entered the water at the base of the cliffs. Howth Coast Guard unit, with the assistance of Skerries Coast Guard Unit, successfully carried out a cliff rescue and brought the man to safety at the top of the cliffs. The lifeboat was stood down and returned to base.
On Thursday evening, as the volunteer crew were conducting their scheduled training, they received a VHF radio call from Dublin coast Guard asking them to investigate reports of people in the water trying to make their way back from Shenick island. The lifeboat proceeded towards the island immediately, and as they rounded the headland at Red Island they spotted the group immediately. They were in water that was chest deep and were wading towards the shore. They were confident that they could make their own way ashore and declined to be taken into lifeboat. The lifeboat stood by until they reached the safety of the beach. They then completed the remainder of their training session.
Speaking about the call out, volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for Skerries RNLI, Gerry Canning said: ‘As the warm weather continues we are seeing a huge increase in the number of people enjoying themselves on the water, unfortunately we are also seeing an increase in the number of launches for our volunteers. We would just like to remind everyone to be conscious of their safety. Check the local tides and weather, wear a lifejacket or buoyancy aid if you are going afloat, and always carry a means of calling for help. If you see someone in difficulty on or near the water, 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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