Swimmer had gotten into difficulty in the sea at Greystones
Members of the Greystones/Wicklow Coast Guard Unit, at Greystones Harbour.
Members of the Greystones/Wicklow Coast Guard Unit, at Greystones Harbour.
Members of the Greystones/Wicklow Coast Guard Unit successfully rescued a swimmer who had got into difficulty in the sea at Greystones on Saturday evening, in what were described as “challenging conditions”.
Barry Guilfoyle, Officer in Charge, said that just after 8pm, on Saturday, September 20, following reports that a swimmer had got into trouble in the waters at Greystones, the pagers activated for Greystones/Wicklow Coast Guard Unit to respond.
“We were tasked by the Marine Rescue Coordination Centre Dublin to a swimmer in difficulty off Greystones after a member of the public called 999/112,” he said.
“The waves were too high and the casualty was too far out for throw bags so the shore teams encouraged the casualty to ‘Float to Live’.
“With challenging weather and sea conditions, our Coast Guard D-Class inshore rescue boat launched and retrieved the casualty and brought them ashore for assessment by NAS Paramedics and our local ‘critical’ charity doctor. The casualty required hospital observation as he had taken on some water but was otherwise okay.
“This successful rescue was the result of early identification of someone in difficulty, a phone call to the Coast Guard been made, and the rapid response of our volunteers,” Mr Guilfoyle continued.
Following the incident, the Greystones/Wicklow Coast Guard Unit has made an appeal to members of the public to be vigilant.
“If you see someone you think may be in trouble on the sea, our beaches, rivers, lakes, cliffs, headlands, cliff walkways or inland waterways, dial 112 or 999 and ask for the Coast Guard. Your call could save a life.” he said.