Skerries RNLI respond to reports of a person in distress in the water
Skerries RNLI responded on Sunday (26 March) evening to reports that there was possibly a person in distress in the water off the south strand in Skerries
Dublin Coast Guard tasked the volunteers in Skerries RNLI shortly before 8pm on Sunday evening. A member of the public had dialled 999 to report that there was clothing on the beach in Skerries and a dog running around the beach distressed.
Skerries Coast Guard unit responded to the incident and shortly after arriving on scene spotted an object floating in the water between the beach and Colt island. With the concern that there may be a person in distress in the water, the lifeboat was requested to investigate the object and carry out a search of the area.
The lifeboat was launched and after navigating around the headland at Red Island was on scene in a matter of minutes. Liaising with the Skerries Coast Guard unit, the lifeboat began to search the approximate area that the object had been spotted. The volunteer crew soon spotted several semi submerged lobster pots in the area and reported this back to Skerries Coast Guard unit on the shoreline before continuing the search.
With the area thoroughly searched and no further indications that a person had entered the water, the lifeboat was stood down and returned to station where it was refuelled, washed down and made ready for the next call out.
Conditions at the time were force 3 to 4 southerly winds with slight swell.
This was the third call out for Skerries RNLI in a number of days. On Thursday (23 March) evening they assisted in a multi-agency rescue alongside Dublin Fire Brigade, An Garda Siochana and Rescue Helicopter R116 after a car entered the water from the slipway in Skerries.
On Saturday (25 March) the volunteers were requested to assemble at the station to be ready for an immediate launch following reports of a swimmer in difficulty near the popular Skerries swimming spot known as the springers. However, it was confirmed visually by Lifeboat Operations Manager Niall McGrotty that the man did not need assistance and had made his way ashore.
Speaking about the call outs, volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for Skerries RNLI, Gerry Canning said: ‘It’s been a busy few days for our volunteers but they are ready to respond to any call for help, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Thankfully in this instance it was a false alarm with good intent and we always encourage anyone who thinks someone may be in trouble on or near the water to dial 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard ’
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 Ireland Media Officer on 087 648 3547 or email [email protected] or Niamh Stephenson, RNLI Ireland Media Manager on 087 1254 124 or [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 142,700 lives.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter 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.