Latest news with #WicklowRNLI
Irish Independent
3 hours ago
- General
- 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
5 hours ago
- General
- 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.'
The Journal
a day ago
- General
- The Journal
Child airlifted to safety by Rescue 116 after drifting 250 metres offshore on an inflatable
A CHILD WAS airlifted to safety over the weekend after drifting 250 metres offshore on an inflatable. At around 4.40pm on Saturday, the Irish Coast Guard received reports of a child adrift on an inflatable at Newcastle in Co Wicklow. Wicklow RNLI volunteers launched its all-weather lifeboat RNLB Bridie O'Shea after being paged by the Coast Guard. File photo of Wicklow all-weather lifeboat. RNLI / Wicklow RNLI / Wicklow / Wicklow The Irish Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 116 was in the area because it had earlier conducted a training exercise with the all-weather lifeboat. Advertisement The RNLI volunteer crew made best speed towards the location but were stood down around10 minutes after launching because the child had been located by Rescue 116 and airlifted back to shore. Speaking after the callout, Connie O'Gara of the Wicklow RNLI advised the public to 'leave inflatables at home'. 'Blow-up toys and airbeds are designed for swimming pools and not the open sea,' said O'Gara, 'The RNLI urges against the use of inflatables as they can easily be swept out to sea.' O'Gara further reminded the public to wear a suitable flotation device if going on the water and to ensure you have a means of calling for help should you get into difficulty. In an emergency, people should call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Irish Independent
19-06-2025
- Climate
- Irish Independent
Wicklow RNLI rescue three people including man who fell down cliff
The first launch of the all-weather lifeboat RNLB Bridie O'Shea under the command of coxswain Nicky Keogh occurred at 11.40am after Coast Guard reports of a 28ft pleasure craft with two people onboard, which was experiencing mechanical difficulties at Bray Head. The Irish Coast Guard RIB based in Greystones arrived on scene first and ensured the casualties safety while awaiting the arrival of Wicklow RNLI's all-weather lifeboat. Once on scene, the Coxswain Nicky Keogh assessed the situation. Given the mechanical issues and the vessel's proximity to the bottom of the cliffs of Bray Head, the decision was made to tow the casualty vessel to the nearest safe harbour at Greystones. Conditions on scene were good with good visibility, a westerly force 4-5 wind and moderate seas. With the assistance of the Irish Coast Guard, the vessel was safely alongside at 12.45pm. The second call out came five hours later at 4.30pm following reports of a person trapped at the bottom of the cliffs near Travelahawk. A vigilant member of the public heard calls for help and ran to the lifeboat station to raise the alarm. The station's inshore lifeboat helmed by Andrew Carlin, was quickly launched at 4.30pm. The crew quickly located a man trapped on a small patch of sand at the base of the steep cliffs. He couldn't manage to climb to safety having fallen down the cliffs but was uninjured. The inshore lifeboat, after an assessment by the helm, was safely beached onto the patch of sand and the man was quickly brought onboard and around to the lifeboat station. Speaking after his first call out since becoming a helm, Andrew Carlin said: "The man was lucky to have not been injured following the fall and we wish him well. We also want to commend the vigilant member of the public who heard his calls for help. Their quick actions ensured the mans safe return ashore. 'As we enter the summer months and expect more people to enjoy the water, we would encourage anyone planning a trip or activity at sea, to go prepared. "Check weather and tide times, let someone know where you are going and when you are due back. Always wear a lifejacket or suitable flotation device for your activity. And always carry a means of communication. Should you get into difficulty or see someone else in trouble, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.'
Irish Independent
16-06-2025
- General
- Irish Independent
New Wicklow RNLI volunteers save fishermen on first callout
The all-weather lifeboat RNLB Bridie O'Shea was launched under the command of coxswain Nick Keogh at 1.40pm on Friday afternoon following a pager alert from the Coast Guard. The volunteer crew also consisted of Adelaide Kane and Cian Kelly, who were both responding to their first callout. The lifeboat was alongside the 12-metre fishing boat within 25 minutes of having launched, in a position ten miles northeast of Wicklow Harbour. Conditions at the scene were wind south westerly in direction, force six with moderate sea and good visibility. Speaking after the call out, Wicklow RNLI coxswain Nick Keogh said: 'Once alongside, we carried out a quick assessment of the fishing vessel and found it had lost all power. So, the safest course of action was to tow the boat back to Wicklow Harbour.' A towline was quickly set up, and course was set for Wicklow harbour at 2.10pm. The fishing vessel was secured alongside the south quay and the three fishermen were landed safely ashore. Wicklow RNLI PRO Tommy Dover said: 'We give a special mention to trainee crew, Adelaide Kane and Cian Kelly, who went to sea today on their first 'shout' as Wicklow RNLI crew members, we are very proud of their dedication and commitment.'
