Skerries RNLI rescue two teenagers from Shenick island
Skerries RNLI were tasked on Friday evening last (04 August), just before 10pm, following a 999 call to report that two teenagers were stranded on Shenick island having been cut off by the incoming tide.
The volunteers in Skerries launched their Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat “Louis Simson” and proceeded to make their way around the headland at Red Island in Skerries towards Shenick island.
Arriving on scene the two teenagers were quickly spotted on the shoreline on the island. The lifeboat was maneuvered into shallow water near the bar between the mainland and the island and a crew member made their way ashore.
Having confirmed that no medical assistance was required, the crew member helped the teenagers make their way out the lifeboat. They were brought back to safety of the lifeboat station where they were given some dry blankets and refreshments to warm themselves while they waited for someone to collect them.
Conditions at the time were force two to three south easterly wind with a calm sea and good visibility.
This was the second day in a row that the lifeboat was tasked to people stranded on Shenick, having responded to a similar call as they finished training on Thursday evening. In that instance the people made it ashore themselves.
Speaking about the call out, volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for Skerries RNLI, Gerry Canning said: ‘When they realised that they had gotten their timing wrong and were not going to get back to shore as the water was getting deeper, they absolutely made the right call in returning to the island and calling for help and we always encourage anyone in difficulty on or near the water to dial 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard’
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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 142,700 lives.
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