Report of flare – 28th September 2011

September 28th, 2011

Just before 01:00 this morning, the Skerries Coast Guard team were tasked to investigate a report of a white flare near Gormonston, two miles North of Balbriggan harbour. A vigilent member of the public had spotted what appeared to be a white parachute flare just off the coast and was concerned it could have been from a ship in distress.

The Skerries Coast Guard team were dispatched to investigate and carried out a thorough search of the area with nothing unusual reported. No further action was required and the team returned to base.

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.

Incident # 22 of 2011

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Report of unusual lights – 27th September 2011

September 27th, 2011

At 22:25 this evening, the Irish Coast Guard’s control centre received a report of unusual lights near Loughshinny harbour. A member of the public had spotted flashing lights South of the harbour and was concerned it may have been a boat in difficulty.

The Skerries Coast Guard team were tasked to Loughshinny to investigate, arriving on scene within minutes. After carrying out a search of the area and observing the lights, the team concluded that no further action was required and the lights were not from a vessel in difficulty.

Remember – if you spot someone in difficulty on the coast, 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 # 21 of 2011

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Safety Roadshow – 25th Sept 2011

September 25th, 2011

Today members of the Skerries Coast Guard team took part in the finale of the Community Safety Weekend – The Safety Roadshow.

This roadshow was a highly interactive and enjoyable event for the local community featuring various organisations and displays. The Skerries Coast Guard team had several Irish Coast Guard rescue resources on display including an off road rescue vehicle, a full emergency medical kit, search and communications equipment . The team also had an Irish Coast Guard patrol boat on display.

The Irish Coast Guard water safety trailer was at the event, packed with free goodies and safety leaflets. The Dublin Coast Guard helicopter, Rescue 116,  also provided a dramatic flyover and aerobatical display for the crowds.

Other highlights of the event included the Road Safety Authority’s driving simulator. A chance to take a look at the high tech workings inside one of the now familar Gatso speed vans. The Skerries Coast Guard team also tested out the infamous Audi A4 rollover simulator, almost like a slow motion car crash that proves why seatbelts are so important.

The Balbriggan Fire Brigade carried out a extraction demonstration, showing up close how they can cut away car wreckage with such skill and ease thanks to their impressive array of equipment and training. The Gardai traffic Corp were on hand to offer road safety advice. Dublin Civil Defence also had their mobile command centre, fire truck and other rescue vehicles on display.

Photos of the event and the rest of the weekend’s activities are available in our online photo gallery.

Further photos are available on Balbriggan.net and Balbriggan.info

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Report of white flare near Loughshinny – 24th September 2011

September 24th, 2011

At 19:55 this evening the Irish Coast Guard’s control centre received a 999 report from a member of the public who had spotted a flare near Loughshinny. The caller, who was on the water at the time, reported the flare to be white in colour and its trajectory resembled that of a marine parachute flare. The Skerries Coast Guard team were immediately dispatched to Loughshinny, 3 miles South of Skerries, to investigate the report.

Weather conditions on scene were favourable with light Force 4 SW winds, fair weather and good visibility. The area was thouroughly searched with nothing unusual noted. No further action requried and the team returned to base.

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

Incident # 20 of 2011

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Launch of Community Safety Weekend – Fri 23rd Sept 2011

September 23rd, 2011

This morning, members of the Skerries Coast Guard team were at the Market Square, Balbriggan to assist with the launch of the Community Safety Weekend. Also, there were representatives of various other organisations including local Gardai, Customs, Order of Malta, and the RSA.

We were joined by 250 local schoolchildren who were all eager to learn about water safety and the vital role the Coast Guard plays in rescuing those in difficulty on the coast. There were lots of free Coast Guard goodies for the children and of course plenty of leaflets and advice for the adults.

Following the offical ribbon cutting ceremony, the Garda Band and a local school choir entertained the crowds.

Photos from the entire safety weekend are available in our online photo gallery.

Further photos of the opening ceremony are available on the local websites Balbriggan.info and Balbriggan.net

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Quiz Night! – Thurs 22nd Sept 2011

September 22nd, 2011

As part of the Community Safety Weekend, members of Skerries Coast Guard attended a safety themed quiz night at O’Dwyers GAA club, Balbriggan. The various organisations taking part in the Community Safety Weekend each submitted a round of questions for the quiz, with Skerries Coast Guard challenging the teams on their marine safety knowledge.

The Skerries Coast Guard Officer in Charge was on hand to read out the Coast Guard questions and a special prize was awarded to the team with the highest score in the Coast Guard round. Of course, the Skerries Coast Guard team were naturally excluded from competing for that round! Congratulations to the highest scoring team, who achieved a very impressive 9 out of 10. Other groups involved on the night included Gardai, Fire Brigade, Order of Malta, Balbriggan Summerfest, Balbriggan Town Council and Fingal County Council.

The quiz prizes were sponsored by Tesco Balbriggan and all monies raised on the night were donated to the RNLI. Further photos are available on Balbriggan.info and Balbriggan.net

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