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

skerries coast guard

Skerries Coast Guard team members undertook a practical Triage training exercise on Loughshinny Beach earlier this evening. All members were briefed on Triage principles beforehand. This involves a process in which a group of casualties is sorted and prioritised relative to their need for care. The nature of the illness, or injury, the severity of the problem and the facilities available, govern the process thus allowing a an unthinkable situation more manageable.

The Skerries Coast Guard rescue team arrived at the scene within minutes and met with the Gardai on scene. Given the search area included cliffs, trenches and difficult scrub land the Coast Guard’s Sikorsky rescue helicopter, Rescue 116, was deployed from its nearby base at Dublin Airport to assist with the search. With several Coast Guard rescue teams on the ground and the helicopter using its powerful NightSun searchlight and infra-red camera, the entire area was thoroughly searched, however nothing unusual was found. All teams were subsequently stood down.

Incident # 18 of 2009

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

The faller was assisted back to safety, fortunately suffering only minor injuries.

The Coast Guard would urge members of the public to exercise extreme caution when walking near clifftops in wet and windy weather conditions.

Incident # 6 of 2009

home

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

Scenario

The exercise was centered on the scenario of 3 adults being reported missing, last seen heading out to the islands off Skerries in a small boat. 

Phase I

Phase I of the exercise took place in the morning and involved search teams being deployed by Coast Guard boats to the three islands off Skerries.

A “casualty” was located by the search team on Shenick island and was treated on scene. Meanwhile, the Coast Guard helicopter, EI-MES, landed at Red Island, taking on board another rescue team and equipment.

These were deployed to Shenick Island and the casualty subsequently evacuated.

Phase II

The exercise continued in the afternoon with search teams deployed along the coast from Red Island to Loughshinney. The search coordination base remained at Red Island.

During this search, the remaining two missing persons were located by the teams. One casualty was found in the “smugglers’ cave” near Loughshinney with minor injuries.

The second casualty was located further South along the coast. The search teams treated both casualties at the scene and transported them to the nearest road access points.

Weather conditions throughout the day were generally fair with light Southerly winds and good visibility.

Overall, the CUE was a great success and the Skerries team appreciate the huge contribution from the volunteer members of their flank stations of Howth, Clogherhead and Drogheda.

More photos from the exercise are posted in our photo gallery.

Read the press article on this exercise that appeared in the Northside People.

home