DOLLYMOUNT, DUBLIN - Volunteers at Howth Coast Guard unit were paged at 00:12am this morning at the request of Dublin Fire Brigade. A person considered at risk of harm had been reported missing on Bull Island at Dollymount, Dublin. The team searched the bridges, large area of sand dunes and scrub. After an intensive search of high-probability zones, and hasty searches of the rest of the island using the teams 4×4 quad bike, nothing was located. The team were stood down by Marine Rescue Control Centre Dublin and returned to station at 03:15am.

Bull Island is approx 1020 acres, and the largest coastal recreation area in the city of Dublin. Conditions on-scene were poor, with thick fog covering the area. The weather deteriorated to heavy rain and thunder/lightning as the team were finishing the search.

Incident 31/09

Incident: Oil-spill, Howth Harbour
Earlier in the day, 2 members of the unit were tasked by MRCC Dublin to inspect a reasonably significant oil spill in the water beside the West Pier of Howth Harbour. Oil coats the fur of seals, and penetrates and opens up the structure of bird feathers. This can reduce the animals insulation abilities, leading to body temperature fluctuations and hypothermia. Ingestion of the oil causes dehydration and may further impair birds flight abilities.

Incident 30/09

HOWTH HARBOUR, DUBLIN - Today was the Howth Festival and Search & Rescue Demo. Howth Coast Guard unit had their station open for 8 hours for public tours and the opportunity for children to sit in a rescue boat and in 4×4 off-road vehicles. The Irish Coast Guard water safety trailer was on-site and members of the team handed out Water Safety information to adults with activity packs for children.

A Search & Rescue demonstration was held at 3pm by Howth Lifeboat, Howth Inshore Lifeboat, Dublin Civil Defence Water Unit, Rescue Helicopter MES from Dublin Airport, and Howth Coast Guard unit. The demonstration included a windsurfer and kayaker being recovered from trouble, the operation of parachute flares, and the helicopter fly-by. Unfortunately a thick fog-bank prohibited the helicopter from winching operations.

The day was concluded with a blessing of the local fishing and rescue boats by the local churches.

BALSCADDEN, HOWTH - At 1724 today, Howth Inshore Lifeboat and Howth Coast Guard volunteers were tasked to recover a body from the bottom of the rocks at Balscadden. It was seen by members of the public and appeared to be the result of an accident. Howth Lifeboat transferred the casualty to a stretcher while a full cliff recovery team was gathered at the clifftop in case the transfer to Lifeboat was not possible. A number of Coast Guard members descended by foot to aid in the stretcher transfer to the Lifeboat. Howth Inshore Lifeboat transported the casualty and Gardai on-scene back to an ambulance at station.

Incident 29/09

Howth Coast Guard volunteers were tasked this evening at 18.20 to a report of an overdue swimmer on Dollymount beach. The full team assembled at the station and went to the scene. Just as the team arrived at Dollymount the swimmer returned to the beach after being more than an hour overdue. Howth were stood down.

Incident 28/09

Howth Coast Guard unit attended two schools this morning to speak to the children on water safety and to teach them a little about the Coast Guard service in Ireland.

The first visit was to the Holy Family school at River Valley in Swords where the Coast Guard helicopter from Dublin airport also attended and landed on the nearby GAA pitch. Two tenders from Dublin Fire Brigade and volunteers from the Coast Guard unit based in Skerries also were there to assist. The kids were treated to a look around the aircraft and told of it’s capability in search and rescue. The Howth and Skerries volunteers took groups of kids and educated them on the unit’s equipment and the role of the team. The kids also tried out some line throwing and how and where to wear a lifejacket.

The second vist was to the Burrow National school in Sutton. The kids got to see the units boat ‘Grainne’, our quad bike and the water safety education trailer. Thanks to the staff of both schools for allowing the unit to visit.

Check out here for more pictures of the visits.

Incident 27/09

RED ROCK, SUTTON - Last night Howth Coast Guard performed a 3 climber descent at Red Rock in Sutton, Dublin. The scenario entailed one climbers descent line becoming damaged for exercise only, and having to move onto another climbers line to acsend. After the initial descent and ascent, 3 more climbs were completed in pairs.

This week is a busy week for Howth Coast Guard with 2 local school water safety visits, two weekend safety boat patrols, attending vintage rally at Stradbally with water safety trailer, a youth group station visit, providing members to cover river rescue at the Slane music festival, and the Howth festival and SAR demo the following weekend.

While launching today at 13.15 from Howth harbour ‘Grainne’ the Howth Coast Guard unit boat was tasked to The Muglins where two divers had gone missing. While en route to the scene it was reported that the divers had been picked up by a yacht.

Incident 26/09

On Sunday 28th of June at 3.00pm Howth Harbour will be the location for a joint Search and Rescue demonstration involving the Coast Guard Helicopter, Civil Defence, Howth Coast Guard unit and the Lifeboats of the RNLI.

The emergency services will demonstrate a series of water rescues in Howth sound and the best vantage point will be on the East pier. More details to follow.

Incident 25/09

Update - 7/06 Yacht successfully removed at high tide today by crew from Howth Yacht club.