Skerries RNLI respond to reports of small boat in difficulty
Skerries RNLI were tasked on Thursday (08 September) morning following 999 calls to Dublin Coast Guard reporting a small rigid inflatable boat with a person on board in difficulty off Rush beach.
The pagers were sounded shortly after 11.30am and the volunteers quickly launched the Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat “Louis Simson”. The lifeboat navigated around the headland at red island and through the islands before proceeding towards Rush.
The crew obtained a visual on the boat immediately as they were approaching the area indicated by the concerned caller. The lifeboat was positioned alongside the vessel and it was quickly determined that there was nobody on board and that the vessel was securely tied to a mooring. Dublin Coast Guard radio were satisfied that it was a false alarm with good intent. The lifeboat was stood down and returned to the station in Skerries.
Conditions at the time were a force four to five north easterly wind with a moderately choppy sea.
Speaking about the call out, volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for Skerries RNLI, Gerry Canning said: ‘Thankfully in this instance it was a false alarm with good intent. The member of the public was genuinely concerned that someone was in trouble on the water 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]
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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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