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Skerries RNLI part of multi agency response to reports of missing swimmer

Lifeboats News Release

Skerries RNLI volunteers were tasked by Dublin Coast Guard shortly after 12pm today (Sunday 12 January) following a 999 call from a member of the public reporting a swimmer diving into the water but not resurfacing near the Martello tower in Portrane.

Skerries RNLI and Rescue 116 on scene

RNLI/Gerry Canning

Skerries RNLI and Rescue 116 on scene

The volunteers in Skerries RNLI had just returned from exercise and were in the process of washing down the lifeboat and carrying out their post recovery checks to ensure readiness for a call out. The lifeboat was relaunched immediately and proceeded to navigate around the headland at red island and towards Portrane.

As the lifeboat arrived on scene, they were joined by the Howth Coast Guard Rigid inflatable boat, and shortly afterwards by the Coast Guard rescue helicopter R116 and the volunteers from Skerries Coast Guard unit.

The two boats and the helicopter worked together to carry out an extensive search of the area, while the Coast Guard unit on shore worked to make sure everyone was accounted for and try to gather any additional information. Shorty before 3pm, with nothing found and no further information regarding anybody missing, the Coast Guard were satisfied that it was a false alarm and all assets were stood down.The lifeboat returned to the station and was washed down, refuelled and made ready for the next call out.

Conditions at the time were force one to two north westerly wind with a smooth sea and good visibility.

Speaking after the call out, volunteer lifeboat press officer for Skerries RNLI, Gerry Canning said “Thankfully in this case, it turned out to be a false alarm with good intent. The person who made the call believed that they had seen someone in trouble in the water and did the right thing in dialling 999 and asking for the Coast Guard. Our volunteers were on the water for a long time today and did a great job, working seamlessly alongside the other agencies”

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 Tom McGuire, Regional Communications Manager on 0874764436 or email [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

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

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