Skerries RNLI rescue dog following fall from cliff walk

Skerries Coast Guard unit initially responded to the call, and after assessing the scene requested that the lifeboat was launched. The Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat “Louis Simson” was launched from Skerries, and the volunteer crew proceeded immediately towards Loughshinny harbour.

Once on scene, the lifeboat crew were guided to the correct location by the Skerries Coast Guard volunteers at the top of the cliff face. Once a visual was established on the dogs,the lifeboat made an initial approach to assess the situation. It was soon evident that the rocky foreshore,combined with the wave direction, posed a risk to both the lifeboat and the crew.

While assessing the options for reaching the stranded canine, the Helm spotted a well known local fisherman nearby with a small inflatable tender, which they kindly agreed to loan to the lifeboat crew.

The lifeboat was then positioned safely off the shore,head to sea, a line was made fast to the tender, and a volunteer crew climbed aboard. The line was then slowly fed out until the tender reached the shoreline. The crew member lifted the dog into the tender, relaunched it, and climbed aboard. The tender was then pulled alongside the lifeboat, and the dog was brought safely ashore at the harbour.

Conditions at the time were force three to four westerly wind with a slight sea swell and fair visibility.

Speaking after the call out, volunteer lifeboat press officer for Skerries RNLI, Gerry Canning said “Despite what looked like favourable conditions, the location that the dog was in, made this a challenging rescue. Our volunteer Helms have to constantly carry out risk assessments, often in rapidly changing circumstances, what unfolded was a great bit of critical thinking from the Helm. We also witnessed some great community spirit from the locals in Loughshinny, with a number of people assisting both the Coast Guard and the RNLI. Special thanks to the fisherman who had absolutely no hesitation in lending us his tender. Incidents like this can often end up escalating into the owners getting into difficulty themselves, and in this situation,dialling 999 and asking for the Coast Guard is absolutely the right thing to do.”

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 Regional Communications Manager on 087 648 3547 or email [email protected] or Niamh Stephenson, RNLI Regional Communications Lead on 087 1254 124 or [email protected] or Treasa Ni Bhraonain, RNLI Communications Placement on 0874764436 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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