The vessel will operate on a 24hr basis and will display appropriate day shapes & lights during survey/rock placement operations and will transmit an AIS signal. The vessel (callsign PHYR) will be keeping a listening watch on VHF Channel 16 at all times during the operations. Operations will involve deployment of survey ROV and fall pipe which will restrict the vessel’s ability to manoeuvre. 

All vessels, particularly those engaged in fishing, are requested to give the “Tideway Rollingstone”, and her equipment, a wide berth and keep a sharp lookout in the relevant areas

A full copy of the marine notice is available from the Department’s website.

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

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

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The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport has issued a marine notice (No. 2 of 2012) to advise that a hydrographic survey will be undertaken offshore at Rush beach, North Dublin and the Irish Sea. For a period of 7 days from the 16th January 2012, the survey vessel SV Bibby Tethra (call sign 2EGF8) will operate on a 24hr basis. These operations will involve towing survey equipment up to 100 metres astern of the vessel along pre-defined survey lines, which will restrict the vessel’s ability to manoeuvre. The survey area is marked with the red line in the map below:

All vessels, particularly those  engaged in fishing are requested to give the SV Bibby Tethra and her towed equipment a wide berth and to keep a sharp lookout in the relevant areas.  Further information and photos of the vessel are available here.

The full text of the marine notice is available from the Department’s website.

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

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

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The Minister’s full press release can be accessed by clicking here 

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

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

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We would appeal to the public to remain vigilent and if you spot someone in difficulty dial 999 or 112 and ask for the COAST GUARD. Your call could save their life.

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

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These airborne Chinese lanterns have become increasingly popular in recent years as a way of marking special events. However, they do pose a significant danger to aviation traffic and can cause the deployment of Irish Coast Guard resources on false rescue missions. Chinese lanterns, drifting across a night sky, are commonly mistaken by the public for marine distress flares.

If you are intending to release sky lanterns:

You must, before the release date, obtain permission in writing from the Flight Operations Dept of the Irish Aviation Authority.  You can contact them at fod@iaa.ie or by phone at 01 603 1148

Just before releasing the lanterns:

To ensure your lanterns are not confused as a sighting of a distress signal, you must contact the following agencies just prior to releasing the lanterns:

• Irish Coast Guard
• Nearest Air Traffic Control unit
• Nearest Garda station

The detailed advice and all contact phone numbers are contained in the IAA’s Sky Lantern safety leaflet, available from their website or by clicking here.

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

White parachute flares were deployed from the high cliffs overlooking the bay, proving very effective at illuminating large sections of the shoreline. Overall, the exercise was very useful with all the search teams successfully and quickly locating their missing person “targets”.

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

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

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At 06:10 this morning, the Skerries Coast Guard team were paged by the Coast Guard’s Marine Operations Centre (MOC) to assist with an incident at Balbriggan harbour, 5 miles north of Skerries. Balbriggan Gardai had received a public report of a person near Balbriggan harbour who may have required assistance. The Skerries Coast Guard team arrived on scene at the harbour and within minutes the casualty was successfully assisted from danger by Balbriggan Gardai. No further action was required and the team returned to base.

Incident #26 of 2011

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

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

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This morning, the Skerries Coast Guard team conducted a search training exercise at Bremore, one mile north of Balbriggan harbour. This scenario based exercise included a detailed shore search covering several miles of the North Balbriggan coast. Weather on scene was favourable, with good visibility and dry conditions. As part of the exercise, the team also fired several marine flares. Photos of this exercise are available in our online gallery.

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

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

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Drivers,  pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists are advised to:

• Leave early to avoid being marooned on flooded roads and always ensure you have enough fuel for your car
• Monitor radio weather broadcasts while travelling.
• It takes longer to stop a vehicle on wet roads so slow down and allow extra distance between you and the vehicle in front 4 seconds at a minimum.
• Try to avoid crossing a road covered in water. Wait until the water level drops or use an alternative route.
• If the road ahead is flooded choose another route, do not attempt to drive over it. Flooded roads that appear shallow could be deeper than you think. It is easy to underestimate the power of fast moving water.
• You don’t know what dangers are submerged in the water, which could cause you to stall or damage your vehicle.
• Watch out for washed out roads, earth slides, broken water or sewer mains, loose or downed electrical wires, and fallen or falling objects.
• Be aware where rivers or streams may suddenly rise and flood, for example highway dips, bridge, and low areas.
• If a road is flooded as a result of a river bursting its banks beware the current could be strong enough to sweep your vehicle away. Low floored vehicles (for example Camper Vans are particularly vulnerable to cross currents. If in doubt, take a different route.
• When entering water, go in slowly and keep a steady even throttle.
• Remember the air intakes of your vehicle are quite low and any water taken in will not only cause you to stall but will ruin your engine.
• Do not create a bow wave which could cut the engine.
• On narrow roads only one car at a time should go through the flooded area so as to avoid one flooding the other.
• Check your brakes without causing danger to following traffic. After going through deep water, drive slowly with your foot on the brake pedal for a short distance – this helps to dry the brakes.
• Sometimes roads can be closed due to their fragile state after wet weather or because they are blocked by flooding. Road users should always follow recommended routes and obey signs closing roads to traffic for your own safety.
• If you are inside a vehicle and water is rising rapidly around you, abandon the vehicle immediately.
• If you have to leave your vehicle, be wary of strong currents and debris.
• After flooding the area of the flooded road can be very slippery due to residue.
• Be mindful of Aquaplaning on roads where 100/120kmh speeds apply. Aquaplaning occurs where the tyre thread fill with water and is unable to disperse it
• Pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists should ensure they can be seen. Wear bright clothing with reflective armbands or a reflective belt.

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

At 23:39 this evening, a concerned member of the public contacted the Coast Guard’s control centre to report unusual lights off the coast of Skerries. There was concern that the lights could have been from a boat in difficulty near the coast.

The Skerries team were on scene within minutes, facing extremely challenging  weather conditions; Force 7 south easterly winds, heavy rain and reduced visibility. The team quickly located the light and observed it for some time. Nothing unusual was noted and no further action was required.

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

Incident # 25 of 2011

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

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