To the rescue!

SKERRIES RNLI responded to three separate call outs to vessels in difficulty over the recent Bank holiday weekend that resulted in 10 people being brought safely to shore.

Shortly before 5pm on Monday (August 4) the volunteer crew launched their Atlantic 85 lifeboat Louis Simson following reports from a passing boat of a 25-foot motor craft in difficulty in shallow waters off Donabate beach.

The lifeboat, with Conor Walsh at the helm and crewed by Gerry Canning, Peter Kennedy and Stephen Crowley, proceeded directly to the area.

Once on scene, the lifeboat stood by while the Howth Coast Guard boat, having already reached the casualty, established a tow and maneuvered them into deeper water.

There were seven people on board the motor boat and as they were unable to raise their anchor, one of the Skerries RNLI volunteers boarded the vessel and attached a float to the anchor line before cutting it free.

The lifeboat then recovered the anchor and returned it to the casualty vessel. As a precaution the lifeboat stood by while Howth Coast Guard towed the vessel to the safety of Malahide marina.

The second call out of the day came as the volunteer crew was preparing to recover the lifeboat upon returning to Skerries.

A number of people on shore had voiced concerns about a small motor boat that seemed to be having difficulty starting its engine.

The lifeboat quickly spotted the eight-foot motor boat with three men on board who began waving as the lifeboat approached to indicate they required assistance.

The men were taken on board the lifeboat and their boat was towed safely to shore.

At the time of the rescue there was a force four southerly wind gusting to force five or six with choppy seas.

Almost exactly 24 hours before the first call out at 5pm on Sunday (August 3), as the lifeboat was returning from a ceremonial blessing of the boats as part of the Rush Harbour Festival, Dublin Coast Guard requested they divert to assist a yacht that was experiencing difficulties removing their sails outside Balbriggan harbour.

The lifeboat with Rob Morgan on helm and AJ Hughes, David Shankey and Paddy Dillon on board made their way directly to the location.

As they approached the yacht it became clear that the sail had been taken under control and after confirming that everyone on board was safe and well the lifeboat returned to station.

Niall McGrotty, Lifeboat Operations Manager for Skerries RNLI, said:

“It was a busy weekend for our volunteers, and we’d like to remind everyone going to sea to ensure they have adequate safety equipment and a means of contacting the shore should they get into difficulty.

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After their hectic weekend the drama was not over for Skerries RNLI as they launched once more after a member of the public reported that a lone fisherman in a small motor boat had not yet returned to shore as darkness was falling.

Skerries RNLI volunteer crew launched their Atlantic 85 lifeboat Louis Simson shortly after 8.30pm on Tuesday (August 5) after a member of the public called Dublin Coast Guard regarding a man that was seen launching a small motor boat to go fishing at 3.30pm and had yet to return.

The lifeboat with David Knight at the helm and crewed by Joe May, Eoin Grimes and Stephen Crowley began an immediate search of the most popular local fishing spots, while other volunteer crews in the boathouse began to chart a potential search pattern.

A small motorboat matching the description given, with one man on board, was located just off the western shore of Church Island off Skerries.

The man required no assistance and indicated he was preparing to head for Skerries. As the light was fading the lifeboat offered to stand by while he made his way safely to shore.

At the time of the launch there was a force two to three southerly wind and a calm sea.

Speaking after the call out, David Knight, Volunteer Helm for Skerries RNLI said:

“Thankfully, in this case, the man was fine. However, the member of the public had genuine concerns and did the right thing in calling the Coast Guard.

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