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Howth RNLI launch at night to investigate flashing beacon floating offshore

Lifeboats News Release

The volunteer crew of Howth RNLI launched their all-weather lifeboat late on Saturday night (12 October) following a call from the crew of a fishing trawler which observed a flashing beacon floating in the water three miles east of Howth Head.

Howth All-Weather Lifeboat on exercise in Dublin Bay.

RNLI/Howth

Howth All-Weather Lifeboat on exercise in Dublin Bay.
The trawler made contact with Dublin Coast Guard to report the flashing beacon. The Coast Guard requested Howth RNLI to launch the lifeboat at 11.43pm to investigate and recover the beacon.

The lifeboat launched with seven crew onboard and proceeded to make its way to the trawler's position. Sea conditions were good with moderate westerly winds. Once on scene, Coxswain Ian Sheridan manoeuvred the lifeboat alongside the trawler and the beacon was passed across.

The crew assessed the beacon, and determined it was a lifebuoy light which is usually attached to a lifebuoy and is activated when immersed in water. The crew relayed the serial number to the Coast Guard and was requested to commence a search pattern from the position where the trawler had first observed the light.

The lifeboat completed its search and was then stood down by the Coast Guard.

Speaking following the incident, Howth RNLI Second Coxswain, Ian Sheridan, who was in command of the lifeboat, said: 'The skipper of the fishing trawler did the right thing in contacting the Coast Guard straight away when they noticed the light floating in the water. Having a record of the exact position the light was first seen, allowed us to commence an effective search pattern. We would always much rather launch and be updated that all is well rather than not launch at all when there is a concern. In this case, the Coast Guard stood the lifeboat down after completing our search, and we returned to Howth. If you notice something unusual floating in the water, you should contact the Coast Guard on 999 or 112 and pass on the information.'

Ends

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

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