Skerries Coast Guard

An early morning tasking today for the volunteers of Skerries Coast Guard with the pagers set off at 01:00 to investigate reports of a yacht adrift near Skerries harbour. A vigilant member of the public had spotted the yacht drifting across the bay and had contact the Coast Guard on 999 to request assistance. Fearing that there could have been persons on board and in danger, the Coast Guard tasked both Skerries Coast Guard and the Skerries lifeboat to the scene.

The large 36 foot white hulled yacht had somehow broken free from its moorings and assisted by the Force 5 Northeast winds, was almost grounded on the rocky shore of the North Beach. After close investigations by both Skerries Coast Guard shore team and the Skerries lifeboat, it was concluded that there were no persons on board. Unfortunately, given the on scene condition it was not possible to retrieve the yacht before it grounded on the beach.

The priority then shifted to ensuring that there was no pollution threat from the yacht (e.g. spill of onboard diesel or oil) and to notify the owner. The Skerries Coast Guard team remained on scene until 02:30.

Later that morning at low tide, the Coast Guard again inspected the yacht with the owner and noted extensive holing of the hull. Fortunately, the owner was able to carry out sufficient repairs to allow the yacht to be re floated at the next high tide and re secured at the harbour.

Incident # 12 of 2010

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At 20:40 this evening the volunteers of Skerries Coast Guard were tasked to investigate reports of an unusual object ashore on St Patrick’s Island, Skerries. Concerned members of the public had contacted the Coast Guard’s rescue coordination centre in Dublin to report the sighting. The object was on one of the three uninhabited islands off the Skerries coast and resembled a marine sail. There were concerns that it could have been a windsurfer stranded on the island.

The Skerries Coast Guard team arrived at the South Beach and observed the reported object. The team had already spotted this object on the island in recent days, however today’s winds appeared to have blown it to a more obivious location on the shoreline. Several fishing vessels were in the area and nothing unusual was sighted. No further action was required and the Skerries team were stood down from their tasking.

Remember – if you spot anything unusual on the coast, diall 999 or 112 and ask for the COAST GUARD. Do not assume someone else has made the call.

Incident #8 of 2010

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At 19:30 Skerries Coast Guard responded to reports of abandoned flares at the harbour area in Skerries.  Several marine rocket distress flares and smoke flares were located by the Skerries team near the high water line on the beach, several metres from a busy public slipway. The flares appeared to have been in the water for some time.  Given the poor condition of  the flares and in the interest of public safety, the Coast Guard requested the Gardai to attend the scene. The Gardai took the flares into their possession for later disposal by the Army Ordnance Unit.

Remember – If you see anything unusual on the coast, call 112 or 999 and ask for the COAST GUARD.

Incident # 7 of 2010

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Photo shows Coast Guard winchman returning to the helicopter at the completion of the rescue operation

At 10:05 this morning, the Skerries Coast Guard team were tasked by the Coast Guard’s Marine Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) to assist a kitesurfer in difficulty. Concerned members of the public on the South Beach, Rush had contacted the Coast Guard on 999 to report that a lone kitesurfer appeared to be in serious difficulty some 200 metres off the shore. The Coast Guard’s Sikorsky helicopter, Rescue 116, based at Dublin Airport was also immediately tasked to the scene. The Skerries lifeboat was also requested to assist.

Both the Skerries Coast Guard team and the Coast Guard helicopter arrived at the scene within minutes and quickly located the kitesurfer. The adult male’s limbs had become tightly tangled in the lines of the kite. He was unable to free himself and as a result, his movement in the water was severely restricted. Fortunately, the kitesurfer was wearing a suitable buoyancy aid which kept him afloat. Conditions on scene were very difficult with Northwest winds gusting force 7 to 8.

The Coast Guard helicopter launched a winch operation and successfully rescued the kitesurfer from the sea. He was then landed safely on the shoreline. The Skerries Coast Guard team cut the kitesurfer free from his lines and provided medical assistance. Fortunately, the kitesurfer was uninjured and suffering only mild hypothermia.

Incident # 6 of 2010

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