Child airlifted to safety in Wicklow after drifting out to sea on inflatable
The volunteer crew launched the all-weather lifeboat RNLB Bridie O'Shea under the command of coxswain Nicky Keogh. They then speedily made their way towards the location, but were stood down 10 minutes after launching.
The Irish Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 116 from Dublin was already in the area, having earlier conducted a training exercise with the all-weather lifeboat. Having also been alerted to the situation, the helicopter crew had located the child and were able to airlift them back to shore.
The volunteer crew returned to Wicklow Harbour and made the boat ready for service again.
Speaking after the callout, Wicklow RNLI deputy lifeboat press officer Connie O'Gara stressed the dangers of inflatables at sea.
'The RNLI advise is to leave inflatables at home,' she urged. 'Blow up toys and airbeds are designed for swimming pools and not the open sea.
"The RNLI urges against the use of inflatables as they can easily be swept out to sea.
"We would also remind the public, if going on the water to please wear a suitable flotation device, and to ensure you have a means of calling for help should you get into difficulty. In an emergency, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.'
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RTÉ News
a day ago
- RTÉ News
Warning issued over use of inflatable toys at sea
Water Safety Ireland has launched a fresh appeal warning members of the public to leave inflatable toys at home when visiting the coast. It comes after a teenager was airlifted to safety on Saturday by the Coast Guard after reports were received of a child adrift on an inflatable around 200 metres offshore from Newcastle in Co Wicklow. Speaking on RTÉ's News at One, Divisional Controller of the Marine Rescue Coordination Centre in Dublin Ivan Longmore said that incidents like these were becoming a frequent occurrence. "We probably get steady reports of these incidents, particularly when there's a settled spell of weather," he said. "I wouldn't say it's increased dramatically, but it's certainly an incident that we do get frequent callers for," he added. Mr Longmore recommended that people do not bring inflatables to the sea or other coastal areas. "Don't do it, particularly if there's offshore winds and they can develop at any time, and particularly where there's tidal currents, which there is on all Irish waters," he said. Water Safety Ireland also reported that 51 people have died in Irish waters to date this year. CEO of Water Safety Ireland Joanne Walsh said that lives lost at sea so far this year were the highest they had been in recent times. "To put that into context, at a similar time in 2024, 47 lives were lost. In 2023, 50 lives were lost," she said. "We're highlighting this, speaking to children, to adults, to teenagers. So far this year, in an eight-week period, we lost seven children," she added. Ms Walsh encouraged young people who may take to the water during the spell of good weather to be responsible and to watch out for one another. "Please try and swim at a lifeguarded waterway. If you're at a lifeguarded waterway, look for the yellow and red flags. That's the area known to be safe. That's where the lifeguard has risk-assessed," she said. "If it says don't swim or dangerous swimming, please heed it. Please be responsible. Please look out for each other," she added.
Irish Independent
a day ago
- Irish Independent
Child airlifted to safety in Wicklow after drifting out to sea on inflatable
The Wicklow RNLI crew pagers sounded at 4.42pm on Saturday, after the Coast Guard received reports of a child adrift on an inflatable around 250 metres off shore from Newcastle. The volunteer crew launched the all-weather lifeboat RNLB Bridie O'Shea under the command of coxswain Nicky Keogh. They then speedily made their way towards the location, but were stood down 10 minutes after launching. The Irish Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 116 from Dublin was already in the area, having earlier conducted a training exercise with the all-weather lifeboat. Having also been alerted to the situation, the helicopter crew had located the child and were able to airlift them back to shore. The volunteer crew returned to Wicklow Harbour and made the boat ready for service again. Speaking after the callout, Wicklow RNLI deputy lifeboat press officer Connie O'Gara stressed the dangers of inflatables at sea. 'The RNLI advise is to leave inflatables at home,' she urged. 'Blow up toys and airbeds are designed for swimming pools and not the open sea. "The RNLI urges against the use of inflatables as they can easily be swept out to sea. "We would also remind the public, if going on the water to please wear a suitable flotation device, and to ensure you have a means of calling for help should you get into difficulty. In an emergency, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.'
Sunday World
a day ago
- Sunday World
Child airlifted to safety after drifting out to Irish Sea on inflatable
The volunteer crew launched the all-weather lifeboat RNLB Bridie O'Shea under the command of coxswain Nicky Keogh Wicklow RNLI are advising members of the public to leave inflatables at home when visiting the coast after a child had to be airlifted back to safety by the Irish Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 116. The Wicklow RNLI crew pagers sounded at 4.42pm on Saturday, after the Coast Guard received reports of a child adrift on an inflatable around 250 metres off shore from Newcastle. The volunteer crew launched the all-weather lifeboat RNLB Bridie O'Shea under the command of coxswain Nicky Keogh. They then speedily made their way towards the location, but were stood down 10 minutes after launching. A file pic of the Wicklow RNLI all-weather lifeboat RNLB Bridie O'Shea. News in 90 Seconds - August 12th The Irish Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 116 from Dublin was already in the area, having earlier conducted a training exercise with the all-weather lifeboat. Having also been alerted to the situation, the helicopter crew had located the child and were able to airlift them back to shore. The volunteer crew returned to Wicklow Harbour and made the boat ready for service again. Speaking after the callout, Wicklow RNLI deputy lifeboat press officer Connie O'Gara stressed the dangers of inflatables at sea. 'The RNLI advise is to leave inflatables at home,' she urged. 'Blow up toys and airbeds are designed for swimming pools and not the open sea. "The RNLI urges against the use of inflatables as they can easily be swept out to sea. "We would also remind the public, if going on the water to please wear a suitable flotation device, and to ensure you have a means of calling for help should you get into difficulty. In an emergency, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.'
