Wicklow RNLI involved in two multi-agency callouts on Monday afternoon

The crew were alerted by pager to the first callout just before 2pm after the Coast Guard received reports of two Paddleboarders in difficulty in the water at Silverstrand Beach.

The all-weather lifeboat RNLB Bridie O’Shea launched at 2.05pm under the command of Coxswain Nick Keogh and a volunteer crew. The inshore lifeboat Dennis-Audrey under the command of helm Mark Kavanagh and two volunteer crew, followed five minutes later.

Arriving on scene, the lifeboats joined the Irish Coast Guard Helicopter Rescue 116 from Dublin and the local Coast Guard shore unit. Weather conditions in the area were good visibility with north-easterly wind force 4 and moderate sea.

Speaking after the call out, Coxswain Nick Keogh said: ‘One of the paddle boarders was able to scramble ashore and raise the alarm, so we carried out a search to the south of Silver Strand Beach for the other person. The inshore lifeboat was tasked to search close to shore, and during a sweep along the rocks, the crew spotted a person on the shoreline, they contacted the helicopter crew and gave his position, we stood by as the casualty was winched to safety.’

The casualty was airlifted to hospital by Rescue 116 and with no further assistance required the volunteer crew were stood down, returned to station and both boats made ready for the next callout.

The second callout came just before 5.30pm when both the inshore and all-weather lifeboats launched again following a Coast Guard pager alert to reports of four people in difficulty in the water at Magheramore Beach.

The Inshore boat launched first under command of helm Andrew Carlin and two volunteer crew, followed by the all-weather lifeboat with a volunteer crew under the command of Coxswain Nick Keogh.

The lifeboats arrived on scene a short time later in moderate sea with wind north-easterly force 4. They joined the Irish Coast Guard Helicopter Rescue 116 from Dublin, the local Coast Guard shore unit and the National Ambulance Service.

The 4 people managed to get ashore and were assessed by the National Ambulance Service on the beach. Both lifeboats remained on scene while this took place, they were stood down by the Coast Guard at 6.05pm and returned to Wicklow harbour.

Speaking after the call out, Iain Fisher, Wicklow RNLI Launch Authority said: ‘Two young people got into difficulties while playing on an Inflatable toy in the water at Magheramore beach, a surfer and swimmer went to their aid and thankfully they all got ashore safely. Our advice is to leave all inflatable toys and airbeds on dry land or in the pool, and always remember, if going on the water to please wear a suitable flotation device and to ensure you have a means of calling for help should you get into difficulty. If you see someone in difficulty in the water, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.’

RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

Tommy Dover, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for RNLI Ireland, [email protected]

Nuala McAloon, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for Ireland, 087 648 3547, [email protected]

Niamh Stephenson, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for Ireland, 087 125 4124, [email protected]

RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789, [email protected]

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI is the charity that 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 146,700 lives.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

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.