Tag Archives: Incident

Whale stranding, Gormanston – 20th June 2013

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Skerries Coast Guard were tasked this morning to assist with efforts to refloat a live stranded Pilot whale at Gormanston Beach following a request from the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group. A large Pilot whale, approximately 25 ft in length, was stranded in shallow water on the beach.

Thanks to a combined and considerable “hands on” effort from members of Skerries Coast Guard, the Army (from Gormanston Camp), Irish Whale & Dolphin Group, Boyne Fishermen’s Rescue, Skerries lifeboat and members of the public the whale was successfully refloated from the beach.

The Coast Guard’s Rescue 116 helicopter was already airborne in the area and maintained observations on the whale’s progress from a safe distance. Once refloated, the whale made good progress swimming out to sea.

RTE News reported on the whale rescue in their 6 o’clock news bulletin, featuring an interview with Skerries Coast Guard’s Gary Creighton, who assisted with the rescue. A second, smaller whale was discovered later in the day, deceased on Mornington Beach. The news report is available to view on the RTE website.

Skerries Coast Guard RTE Whale rescue

Incident # 10 of 2013

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

Person in difficulty, Balbriggan Harbour – 19th June 2013

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Shortly before 18:00 this evening the Skerries Coast Guard team were tasked to investigate reports of a person in difficulty at Balbriggan harbour. The Coast Guard’s National Maritime Operations Centre in Dublin had received a 999 report from a member of the public of a person in difficulty in the water.

Fortunately, shortly before the arrival of the emergency services, a member of the public at the harbour assisted the casualty from the water. A Coast Guard helicopter, R116, was on exercise nearby and was on scene within minutes, lowering a winchman to assist with the rescue.

The Skerries Coast Guard team arrived at the harbour, along with Balbriggan DFB, Swords DFB Ambulance, and Balbriggan Gardai. The casualty was initially treated at the scene by advanced paramedics and then brought to hospital.

Local website, Balbriggan.info, has some photos of the rescue.

Remember – if you spot someone in difficulty in or near the water, dial 999 or 112 and ask for the COAST GUARD. Your call could save their life. 

Incident # 8 of 2013

Balbriggan harbour high tide

Rescue at Donabate – 9th June 2013

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Shortly before 20:00 this evening, the Skerries Coast Guard team were tasked by the Coast Guard’s National Operations Centre to assist with the rescue of a casualty near Donabate. The Coast Guard Sikorsky S61 helicopter based at Dublin airport was tasked to the scene, along with the Howth ILB.

A group of three adults had been swimming in the area, and unfortunately one of them became very ill upon leaving the water at the Donabate banks of the Malahide Estuary. The casualty was evacuated by R116 and flown directly to Tallaght Hospital.

heli-front

Incident # 7 of 2013

Remember – if you spot someone in difficulty along the coast, dial 112 or 999 and ask for the COAST GUARD. Your call could save their life.

 

Recovery of liferaft – 26th October 2012

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This afternoon, the Skerries Coast Guard team were tasked by the Coast Guard’s National Maritime Operations Centre to recover a liferaft at Skerries. The fully deployed liferaft was recovered from the vicinity of Colt Island, not far off the Skerries coast, by the Skerries lifeboat.

The Skerries Coast Guard team took possession of and examined the 4 man SeaGo liferaft. From the extensive damage sustained, the liferaft appeared to have been at sea for some time. The team passed the serial number and other identifiable markings to the Coast Guard operations centre who are in the process of tracing the liferaft’s owner.

Incident # 14 of 2012

Remember – if you spot someone in difficulty on the coast, even if you only think they may be in difficulty, dial 999 or 112 and ask for the COAST GUARD. Your call could save their life.