Category Archives: Media

St Patrick’s Day Parade 2013

Posted on by

This afternoon the Skerries Coast Guard team took part in the town’s St Patrick’s day parade. Hundreds of members of the public braved the cold and overcast weather to line the streets and show their support for the various groups, clubs, organisations etc that marched and danced their way along the parade route.

Parade 2013

Unfortunately, the Coast Guard helicopter could not complete its annual flyover of the parade. The helicopter was tasked in the early afternoon to rescue two persons in difficulty at Greystones.

More photos of the parade are available in our online photo gallery.

National Media Coverage

Posted on by

Irish Daily MirrorToday, several national newspapers ran the heartwarming story of Skerries Coast Guard’s Gary Creighton rescuing local dog Hector. Hector a mixed border collie had choked on his tennis ball while out with his owner Colette on Rush South Beach. Fortunately Skerries Coast Guard Cardiac Responder Gary was nearby and used his medical training, plus a lot of quick thinking, and started CPR, saving poor Hector from the jaws of death.

The article featured in the Irish Independent, Irish Daily Mirror, Irish Daily Star and TheIrish Indo Sun. Several national radio shows also picked up on the happy ending, with Gary and Colette interviewed live on Hector’s morning show on 2FM, John Murray’s RTE Radio 1 show and also Spin 103.8fm.

Well done to Gary from all of the team at Skerries Coast Guard.

Irish Star

Irish Coast Guard saved 161 lives in 2012

Posted on by

The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport today released the Irish Coast Guard’s rescue statistics, showing that 2012 was the Coast Guard’s busiest year since its foundation.

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Leo Varadkar has commended Coast Skerries Coast GuardGuard Units and volunteers across Ireland for their hard work and commitment in assisting 2,593 people and saving 161 lives this year.

The Coast Guard statistics to Saturday 28th of December detail the assistance provided in 1,963 incidents and show about an 8% increase over 2011. This means that 2012 is the Coast Guards busiest year since its foundation. The previous highest number of incidents was in 2007 when the Coast Guard responded to 1,961 incidents. The statistical average since 2000 has been 1,820 per year.

The Minister was speaking at a joint Coast Guard/RNLI New Year training exercise Skerries Coast Gaurdin Howth today (Sunday). “The Coast Guard performs an essential role all year round. I want to extend my sincere thanks to every staff member and volunteer for their efforts during 2012, and to their families who support them at every step,” Minister Varadkar said.

“Funding for the Coast Guard has been protected for the second year running in the Budget. Similarly, funding for the RNLI and Mountain Rescue will be maintained at current levels through to 2016. These are essential services and much of the cost is met by volunteers. But I particularly want to pay tribute to the huge number of volunteers who save lives every week of the year. Without these volunteers, it simply wouldn’t be possible to provide the same level of emergency response.”

Skerries Coast Guard

These volunteers include 900 in the Coast Guard, 2,000 in the Royal National Lifeboat Institute, 300 community rescue boats and 500 mountain and cave rescue volunteers. They provide a 24 hour on-call service to respond to emergencies at sea, on our cliffs and coasts.

Minister Varadkar confirmed that a major water safety initiative will be launched this year, including a publicity campaign, new safety signs at slipways and piers, and a Safety on the Water website. RTE’s Search and Rescue programme, which involves the Coast Guard, will also promote water safety.

He also re-affirmed that the three existing marine Rescue Co-ordination Centres, which play an important role in responding to the thousands of incidents, will remain open following a review. This brings certainty to an issue which has caused much local concern in recent years.

You can read the full press release on the Department’s website.

Sharing the road with emergency vehicles – RSA advice

Posted on by

The Road Safety Authority  of Ireland (RSA) has recently launched a safety advice booklet for motorists on sharing the road with emergency vehicles. The distant sound of sirens or the view of flashing blue lights can often signal the start of a dilemma for a motorist – how should they safely and quickly assist the emergency vehicle?

The RSA booklet gives plenty of tips and useful advice to motorists on how they can help these emergency vehicles whilst still staying safe on the road. The overall advice is not to panic. Instead plan and indicate your intentions well in advance. A full copy of the booklet is available from the RSA website’s publication section. Hard copies can also be requested from the RSA.

Skerries Coast Guard – a voluntary coastal rescue unit of the Irish Coast Guard.