Skerries RNLI were tasked yesterday evening (Tuesday 1 February) to investigate reports of two people stranded on Colt Island off the North Co Dublin town.
Dublin Coast Guard had received several 999 calls from concerned members of the public reporting that two people appeared to be stranded on the island.
The volunteers in Skerries received the call shortly after 5pm and launched their Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat Louis Simson directly for Colt Island.
As they arrived on scene the crew could see that the tide was especially low and the waters around the island were very shallow. The two men were making their own way ashore and were almost back on the beach.
The lifeboat updated Dublin Coast Guard and stood by until the men were safely ashore. The lifeboat was then stood down and returned to the station. Skerries Coast Guard unit were also on scene on the shore.
Speaking about the callout, Skerries RNLI’s Gerry Canning said: “Our volunteers are always ready to drop what they are doing and respond to a call for help. Thankfully on this occasion it was a false alarm with good intent.
“The members of the public were genuinely concerned for the two men and did the right thing in dialling 999 and asking for the coastguard.”