Skerries RNLI and Howth RNLI rescue two men in multi-agency call out
Skerries RNLI and Howth RNLI were both tasked this afternoon (Sunday 21 May), shortly before 4pm, alongside Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 116 and Skerries Coast Guard unit after a 999 call from a distressed individual reporting that there was several people in the water.
The volunteers in Skerries launched their Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat, while Howth RNLI launched both their All-Weather lifeboat. The caller had given their location as near Shenick Island in Skerries. The lifeboat from Skerries rounded the headland at red island and headed for Shenick island, carrying out a search as they proceeded, while the lifeboat from Howth also searched as they made their way up the coast towards Skerries.
After a short search of the area, one of the volunteer crew on board the Skerries lifeboat spotted a paddle being waved as a distress signal. Arriving on scene, they found two men in the water clinging to a semi submerged kayak. They were quickly taken on board the lifeboat and assessed. They were extremely cold and tired as they had been in the water for some time. While there had initially been concerns that there was a larger number of people in the water, the two men confirmed that they were the only casualties and the confusion had been down to a poor-quality connection on the phone.
Skerries lifeboat proceeded to bring the men ashore immediately where they were met by awaiting ambulance staff from both Dublin Fire Brigade and the National Ambulance service and were treated for cold water immersion. Skerries Fire Brigade and An Garda Siochana also responded and were present at the lifeboat station to assist if required.
A local angling boat, one of several that had joined the search took the kayak on board before passing it on to Howth lifeboat, who also recovered another paddle and some other debris before returning to station.
Conditions at the time were force three to four east north easterly wind with a slight chop and good visibility.
Speaking about the call out, volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for Skerries RNLI, Gerry Canning said: ‘At one point it was feared that there could be up to 12 people in the water. This resulted in a very robust response, with a large number of assets from across all services being tasked. Thankfully, the men were located very quickly and a tragedy was avoided. It was an incredible response from all the emergency services and a brilliant example of how well professionals and volunteers work alongside each other as one team. ’
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]
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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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