The volunteer crew of Howth RNLI are urging anyone planning a trip to the coast, beach or inland waters over the weekend to stay safe amid the continued good spell of warm weather forecast.
This follows a busy period for the crew who launched five times last weekend to people in distress.
On Saturday (2 September), the inshore lifeboat was launched to recover three people who had been cut off by the rising tide while walking along the coastline.
On Sunday morning (3 September) the inshore lifeboat was launched to assist a powerboat with people onboard which had suffered engine failure. The crew returned the powerboat to Howth Harbour and prepared the lifeboat for its next service.
Shortly before 3pm, the crew launched the inshore lifeboat to assist a swimmer who had suffered an injury at a swimming spot in Balscadden Bay. The crew took the injured person onboard the lifeboat and provided casualty care before transferring them to an ambulance.
Later that evening, a distress call was made from a yacht with 11 people onboard which had run aground at the entrance to Malahide Harbour. Both the inshore and all-weather lifeboats were launched.
The children onboard the yacht were taken ashore and the crew attempted to free the yacht from the sand. After a number of attempts, a decision was taken to await the rising tide that night. The lifeboats returned to station and were made ready for their next service.
The volunteer crew launched the all-weather lifeboat at 11.20pm that night at high tide and proceeded to assist the yacht, which was floated and its fouled propeller freed. The yacht was then escorted into Malahide Harbour.
Speaking ahead of the weekend, Howth RNLI coxswain Fred Connolly said: “Thankfully our crews were able to respond quickly to all those in distress last weekend which led to positive outcomes in all cases.
“With large numbers expected to visit Howth this weekend for the Howth Maritime and Seafood Festival, and as this period of good weather looks set to continue, we’d like to encourage people to enjoy themselves but also to be mindful of their personal safety.
“Check weather and tide times before venturing out on the water and always check local signage for safety and hazards. Always carry a means of communication such as a VHF radio or mobile phone in a waterproof pouch and let someone know where you are going and when you are due back.
“If you go swimming and you find yourself in a rip current, do not swim against or it or you will get exhausted. If you can, stand up and wade, or swim parallel to the shore until you are free of the rip, then head to shore.
“If you can, raise your hand and call for help — and remember to Float to Live if you can’t make it back or become too tired. To do this, tilt your head back with ears submerged and try to relax and control your breathing. Use your hands to help you stay afloat and call for help or swim to safety if you can.
“If you get into difficulty or see someone else in trouble, call 999 or 112 and ask for the coastguard.”
