Skerries RNLI tasked twice in 24 hours
Skerries RNLI were tasked twice in 24 hours this week, with Dublin Coast Guard requesting the volunteers to launch the lifeboat shortly after 7pm on Wednesday (06 August) evening and again yesterday (Thursday 07 August) morning, shortly before 11am.
On Wednesday evening, Dublin Coast Guard received multiple 999 calls reporting that two people had been spotted attempting to swim back to shore from Shenick island in Skerries. The volunteers in Skerries launched their Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat “Louis Simson” and navigated around the headland at Red Island before proceeding directly to the island.
The lifeboat made it’s way as close to the sand bar that joins the island to the mainland as possible. However, there was no sign of any persons on the shore. Dublin Coast Guard contacted one of the original 999 callers, who confirmed that the persons were still on the island but had left the shoreline.
Two volunteers from the lifeboat were put ashore on the island to investigate. They made their way up to the Martello tower. One of the volunteers climbed into the entrance of the tower, where they located the two persons. It transpired that they had kayaked out to the island and were planning on staying the evening. They confirmed that they had everything they needed for the night, including a means of calling for assistance if needed.
The volunteers made their way back to the lifeboat, and following an update on the situation to Dublin Coast Guard, the lifeboat was stood down and returned to the station.
Conditions at the time were force three to four westerly winds with a smooth sea and good visibility.
The lifeboat was launched once again by the volunteers in Skerries shortly before 11am yesterday morning following a distress call to Dublin Coast Guard from a rigid inflatable boat that had suffered engine failure near the entrance to Rogerstown estuary.
The lifeboat navigated through the islands in Skerries and set a safe course directly for the entrance to the estuary. As they were approaching the estuary, they quickly spotted the vessel, with two men and two women on board.
It was confirmed that everyone on board was safe and well, however their boat had suffered a mechanical failure and were unable to make their way ashore. With the weather forecast giving conditions to deteriorate and no other suitable boats in the area, it was decided to establish a tow to bring the casualties back to the safety of their launching point in Rogerstown. Once everyone was ashore safely, the lifeboat returned to the station in Skerries where it was recovered and made ready for the next service.
Conditions at the time were force four to 5 westerly winds with a slight sea and good visibility.
Speaking about the call outs, volunteer lifeboat press officer for Skerries RNLI, Gerry Canning said “It’s been an exceptionally busy week for our volunteers, as they had already been on the water a few times this week with five of our volunteers successfully completing the next level of their training plans. It just shows the dedication of our volunteers that they are still ready to respond 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.”
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 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.
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