At 20:40 this evening, the Coast Guard’s national rescue centre received several public reports of persons in difficulty on cliffs near Loughshinny harbour. The concerned members of the public had contacted the Coast Guard on 999 as the three male youths were on the cliffs shouting for help. Apparently the youths had climbed down a dangerous section of the cliff top and had become trapped on a small ledge.

With darkness approaching, the Coast Guard immediately scrambled its Sikorsky S61 rescue helicopter (Rescue 116)  from its base at Dublin Airport. The Skerries Coast Guard crew were tasked to the scene, along with local Gardai. As a precautionary measure, the Coast Guard also requested the launch of the Skerries lifeboat.

Upon arriving at the scene, the Coast Guard helicopter swiftly rescued the three youths, winching each one in turn to the safety of the cliff top. Once there, the youths were received by the Skerries Coast Guard team and Gardai. Fortunately none of the youths were injured and were escorted from the scene shortly afterwards.

The Coast Guard would remind members of the public to exercise extreme caution when on or near cliff tops. In particular, the Loughshinny cliffs have a history of cliff falling accidents in recent years, regrettably many of them fatal.

Remember – if you spot someone in trouble on or near the coast, dial 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.

Incident # 18 of 2010

home

The Skerries Coast Guard team were paged at 16:50 this evening to assist kayakers in difficulty near Loughshinny. Concerned members of the public had contacted the Coast Guard on 999 to report that several kayakers had been blown offshore by the strong westerly gales and were struggling to return. The Coast Guard also tasked Rescue 116 (the Coast Guard helicopter) and requested the launch of the Skerries lifeboat.

Fortunately, a local fishing boat managed to assist the kayakers in returning to shore. Local lifeguards on duty at the  scene provided shoreline assistance, thankfully none of the kayakers required medical treatment.

Incident # 13 of 2010

home

At 11:25 this morning, the volunteers of Skerries Coast Guard were tasked to assist a cliff faller at Loughshinny. Members of the public had reported that an adult female had fallen from cliffs near Loughshinny Martello Tower and required urgent assistance.

The Skerries Coast Guard team arrived on scene within minutes, together with Skerries Fire Brigade and ambulance crews. The casualty was treated at the scene, however later passed away.

Incident # 8 of 2009

home

At 13:10 today the volunteers of Skerries Coast Guard were tasked by MRCC to investigate reports that a member of the public required assistance near Balbriggan. The Skerries team were on scene within minutes and quickly located the person, who was stranded on rocks having been cut off by an unusually fast incoming tide.

The Skerries Coast Guard team assisted the person safely back to the shoreline.

Incident #3 of 2009

home

At 20:20 this evening, the Skerries Coast Guard team were tasked by the Irish Coast Guard’s rescue co-ordination centre (MRCC) to investigate a report of a possible sighting of a red distress flare south of Loughshinney harbour.

Skerries Coast Guard Volunteers conducted an extensive search of the coastline between Loughshinney and Rogerstown estuary. Although there were a number of large vessles visible at sea off the coast, nothing unusual was found. The team were subsequently stood down by MRCC.

Weather conditions in the area were fair with good visibilty and light SW winds.

Remember, If you see someone in difficulty in the water (sea, river or lake) or on the cliffs, diall 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard – do not assume someone else has made the call.

Incident #2 of 2009

home

At 17:50 this evening, the Skerries Coast Guard team were tasked by the Irish Coast Guard’s rescue co-ordination centre (MRCC) to investigate a reports of a possible sighting of a red distress flare north of Rockabill Lighthouse.

Skerries Coast Guard volunteers conducted a search of the coastline and nothing unusual was found  The team were subsequently stood down by MRCC

Weather conditions in the area were fair with good visibility and  light NW winds.

Incident #22 of 2008

An extensive search of the area from Loughshinny harbour to Rush harbour was carried out, with Skerries lifeboat and a nearby fishing vessel also assisting.

Nothing unusual was found during this search and the Skerries team were stood down by MRCC.

Incident #20 of 2008

home

The Skerries team arrived on scene within minutes and conducted a detailed search of the area. The team located the object and established that no further action was required.

Weather conditions on scene were fair, F2 Southerly winds and good visibility.

Incident # 18 of 2008

home

Many of the Coast Guard teams on the East coast of Ireland also assisted with this search.

The Skerries Coast Guard team searched all harbours and inlets within their area from Laytown to Malahide. Conditions on scene were difficult with poor visibility, heavy rain and freshening easterly winds. No vessels matching the description were found and the team were stood down by MRCC.

 Incident #14 of 2008

The vessel was subsequently located safe and well, anchored near Howth. Read Howth Coast Guard’s report here.

home

The team resealed the drum, established there was no indication of diesel spill in the vicinity and removed it from the scene for specialist disposal by Fingal County Council.

 No further assistance required and the Skerries Coast Guard team were stood down by MRCC.

Incident #9 of 2008

home