Warning issued to Sandymount walkers

THE RNLI has urged the public to be mindful of incoming tides after two walkers had to be rescued on Sandymount Strand earlier this month.

The drama unfolded shortly after midday on a recent Sunday afternoon when the walkers were surrounded by the rising tide, half a mile from shore.

The pair raised the alarm by mobile phone to the Irish Coast Guard Dublin rescue co-ordination centre (MRCC Dublin) giving details of their difficult situation. They then attempted to walk towards shore but with the water level waist deep and rising, they returned to the sandbank to await rescue.

Their phone became waterlogged in the fast-rising tide and with two hours to high-water, the sea level was rising faster than walking in drenched clothing would allow.

MRCC Dublin contacted the RNLI Inshore lifeboat (ILB) at Dún Laoghaire, which was on exercise with four volunteer crew on board and requested that they proceed immediately to the scene.  

The Irish Coast Guard helicopter at Dublin Airport was also tasked and both arrived at the scene at 12.15pm.

The lifeboat crew walked the remaining 50-metres with life-jackets for the two walkers who were then brought by lifeboat to Dún Laoghaire. Neither was harmed, though first aid for a minor injury was given to one of the walkers. 

The Dún Laoghaire Coast Guard Unit attended at the RNLI station and brought the casualties back to their car at Sandymount by road.

While there was a safe outcome to the incident, walkers have been urged to be vigilant when walking on beaches when the tide is out.

“Walking on our local beaches is very popular but care is needed in respect of the state of tide which is constantly changing,” commented Robert Fowler, Deputy Launching Authority with Dún Laoghaire RNLI.  “From low-tide to high, water levels can become several metres deep in the course of a long walk at the water’s edge.”

A recent risk-analysis by the RNLI for the Dún Laoghaire station indicates that walking poses one of the most significant hazards in the area. 

The Sandymount incident was the third of its kind to date this year.