This morning the Skerries Coast Guard team conducted a search and rescue exercise at Rush North Beach and harbour area. Weather conditions on scene were favourable despite the strong NW winds. The team carried out several casualty extraction exercises and a small number of white signal flares were deployed during the exercise.
Skerries Coast Guard – a voluntary search and rescue unit of the Irish Coast Guard
This morning, the Skerries Coast Guard team conducted a pyrotechnic training exercise at Hampton Cove, Balbriggan approximately 5 miles north of Skerries. The team regularly undertake training in the handling, preparation and firing of these white parachute flares. Weather conditions on scene were excellent, with prevailing light offshore winds and good visibility.
Typically, the Skerries Coast Guard team deploy these white parachute flares during night incidents when they are very effective at illuminating large areas of the shoreline.
Remember – if you spot someone in difficulty on the shore, or even think that someone might be in difficulty, dial 999 or 112 and ask for the COAST GUARD. Your call could save a life.
Early this morning the Skerries Coast Guard team were out in force at Red Island, Skerries for a routine training exercise with the Coast Guard’s Dublin based Sikorsky helicopter. The team selected and prepared the landing site, deploying smoke flares to assist the helicopter crew with wind speed/direction assessment. The Sikorsky S92 helicopter, EI-ICR, landed on at Red Island at 09:30, having made the trip from its base at Dublin Airport in approximately 10 minutes.
The Skerries team were also joined by their fellow volunteers from the neighbouring station of Clogherhead Coast Guard. All members took part in a briefing and practical exercise, covering key SAR operational procedures.
The helicopter departed shortly before 12:00, after completing a winching exercise at the Red Island site. The Skerries Coast Guard team would like to thank all the public fo complying with the directions of Coast Guard personnel while this exercise took place.
Photos of this and earlier exercises will be shortly available in our online gallery.
Skerries Coast Guard – a voluntary rescue unit of the Irish Coast Guard.
At 06:40 this morning the Skerries Coast Guard team were tasked to assist with the rescue of a faller with suspected spinal injuries at Rush harbour. The Coast Guard’s Dublin based Sikorsky S92 helicopter, R116, was also dispatched to the scene.
A person had fallen from a wall in the harbour area and was being treated on scene by members of DFB and HSE. Rescue 116 landed on at parkland adjacent to the casualty’s location. Skerries Coast Guard secured the landing site and also assisted with the evacuation by highline winch to Rescue 116.