Howth Coast Guard were tasked tonight at 19.08 to locate a vessel in Dublin bay that had reported losing power. A unit volunteer who was close to the Baily lighthouse viewed from that position a yacht in the shipping channel in the bay which seemed not to be moving. It was reported back to MRCC Dublin and Howth Lifeboat was directed to the area and was able to assist. A tow was then established on the vessel. Howth CG was then stood down.

Incident 30/14

The first phase of a safety sign roll out in Dublin Bay has just been launched. This phase involves 31 signs located along the north Dublin coastline at Ring Buoys and Bathing Shelters. Each sign will have its location displayed; this aims to
improve the efficiency of the response of the emergency services when they receive an urgent call for help. A problem often encounter by the Coast Guard is knowing where the exact location of an emergency is, if a casualty is in the water or on a beach directing a lifeboat, helicopter or ground crew to a scene needs to be done without delay.  The project is a joint initiative between Dublin Port Company, the Irish Coast Guard and Dublin City Council and is hoped will save time and lives in rescues on the Dublin Bay coastline.
 
Colin Murray, Officer in Charge, Irish Coast Guard station at Howth noted “Often time is the enemy when it’s comes to coastal emergencies, we need to get to the location of the casualty as soon as possible and minimise the time needed to find them. In the case of tourists visiting an area they may not be aware of the correct name of the area they’re in, even locals trying to describe what part of Dollymount beach they’re on can be difficult. The new signs will help the emergency services with that response”.

The Lord Mayor commented that “I very much welcome this initiative between the parties concerned, all working together to come up with a solution. Coming into the summer it’s important to ensure the emergency services
have the best information to hand quickly to ensure a speedy response, I’ve no doubt having the location on the signs will make an important difference”.

Pat Ward, Dublin Port Company’s Head of Corporate Services remarked “While Dublin Bay provides the key commercial artery for trade on the island of Ireland, it is also renowned for its recreational and leisure craft activities. The importance
of accurate information in an emergency situation is critical and todays initiative plays a huge part in assisting the public and our emergency services when called upon.”

Remember if see someone in trouble on the beach, cliff or water act quickly and call that Coast Guard at 112 right away. A false alarm with good intention is always well received by the Coast Guard; a call that’s too late could mean tragedy.

Pictured are (left to right)
Pat Ward, Dublin Port Company’s Head of Corporate Services
Lord Mayor of Dublin, Oisín Quinn.
Paul Cooper, Deputy Officer in Charge, Irish Coast Guard - Howth Station.

On Sunday 18th May 2014 the Irish Coast Guard boat from Howth was asked along with the Coast Guard Rescue helicopter, Rescue 116, to a person entering the water at Blackbanks in Raheny. The person was recovered from the water by Gardai and all units were stood down. The Boat returned to patrol duties.

Incident 
29/14

Today ,Saturday, a jeep patrol was tasked to a 999 call of a female with an injured leg on the cliff path in Howth. The unit attended, provided medical care and transferred the casualty off the cliff path before the casualty was transferred to hospital.

Later the Units Boat Patrol crew were tasked to a kitesurfers and a paddle boarder in trouble near Rush. While on route they were stood down after a passing boat hadt assisted.

Incident 27/14, 28/14

This morning (Saturday) at 5am the Irish Coast Guard received a 999 call from a male on the cliffs at Howth. The male was requiring assistance but unsure of his exact location.

The Coast Guard unit at Howth were tasked, after a short search a semi conscious male was located in a precarious position on the cliff edge. He was quickly recovered to a safer location and treated by a Paramedic from the unit.

A stretcher party transferred the casualty to Balscadden car park where he was handed over to paramedics from Dublin Fire Brigade and the HSE. Gardai were also in attendance.

Incident 26/14

Today (15th May 2014) after midday the Irish Coast Guard unit at Howth were tasked to assist with a Coast Guard Helicopter landing at Beaumont Hospital.

Team members cleared the site for any objects that may interfere with the aircraft landing. Coast Guard Helicopter Rescue 116 arrived and the casualty was transferred by ambulance to the main hospital.
 
Incident
25/14

DUNNE, Sean Anthony (Sutton, Co. Dublin) 10th May 2014 (unexpectedly) in Beaumont hospital surrounded by his loving family. A loving husband, father, son , brother and uncle. Sean will be very sadly missed by his devoted wife Katrina, son Sean Jack, mother Lily, father Sean, sisters Lucia, Nora, Mary and Sarah, brothers-in-law, sister-in-law, nieces and nephews, extended family and large circle of friends including those in the Irish Coast Guard and Malahide Sea Scouts. 
 
Rest in Peace

Reposing tomorrow, Wednesday afternoon, in Stafford`s Funeral Home, Strand Road, Portmarnock from 5pm until 7pm. Removal on Thursday morning to St. Sylvester's Church, Malahide arriving for 10am Funeral Mass followed immediately thereafter by cremation in Glasnevin Crematorium. Family flowers only. Donations, if desired, to St. Francis Hospice, Raheny.

At 15.30 today, Sunday, Howth Coast Guard were tasked to assist a faller on the cliffs at Jamesons beach on the South side of Howth hill. The Howth team responded quickly and when on scene discovered that a person was trapped half way down a steep cliff. A member of the public had ascended the cliff from the beach to assist the casualty.
The team set up a rope rescue system on the top of the cliff and lowered a climber to secure the casualty. The member of the public who had assisted the casualty was brought to the cliff top. After having secured the casualty Coast Guard Helicopter Rescue 116 lifted the casualty off the cliff and lowered them to the awaiting Howth team. A doctor on scene assisted the team with medical assistance to the casualty. The casualty was handed over to an awaiting ambulance and removed to hospital for assessment. The casualty had minor injuries.


Incident 24/14

Today we received the tragic news of the sudden death of one of our operational members, Sean Dunne. Sean was taken ill suddenly last Sunday night at home and was rushed to Beaumont hospital. Despite the efforts of the doctors and nurses in ICU sadly he passed away today. Sean joined the Irish Coast Guard as a member in August 2006 and for the last eight years he has played a major part in our own unit here in Howth and is directly responsible along with the other members of the unit for the saving of many lives in our area.
Sean was married to Katrina and they have one child, Sean (Junior); outside of Coast Guard activities the two Sean’s were inseparable, be it in a swimming pool, up a climbing wall, or on a golf course. Sean was a family man and will be missed dearly by Katrina and Sean.

As a Coast Guard Cliff Climber, Boat Coxswain, and Equipment Officer, Sean had a huge commitment to the team and his sudden departure has left us all truly shocked. From all in Howth Coast Guard our sincere condolences go to Katrina, Sean Junior, who has lost a best friend, and his family on the loss of their loved one and our colleague and our dear friend, Sean. The station house in Howth will be a different place with his passing. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.



Howth Coast Guard request that all Coast Guard flags on Irish Coast Guard stations fly at half mast until Sean is laid to rest later this week. Go raibh maith agaibh.

Sean with our youngest casualty to date, a new born baby and mother caught up in the flooding at Baldoyle in 2011.

Sean was one of the few people who could smile while in difficult circumstances. In this case stuck on a boat listening to Drogheda Unit's jokes at the Tall Ships Visit to Dublin.

Sean working with new climbers on the Cliff Edge during Cliff Rescue training.

The Irish Coast Guard unit in Howth were tasked just before midnight on Tuesday to assist with the recovery of a car on Dollymount beach. The car was immobilised in deep soft sand. Two Coast Guard personnel travelled to the beach and towed the vehicle to hard ground using our 4x4 vehicle.

A second car was discovered also stuck, and was assisted while on-scene.

We would like to remind everyone that the sand is particularly soft at the moment, and driving on it is not recommended.

Incident 22/14

Howth Coast Guard were tasked tonight at 19.00 to Beaumont hospital to assist Coast Guard Helicopter Rescue 118 transfer a medical patient from Sligo. The Coast Guard unit cleared the landing site and after landing assisted the crew and medical staff transfer the patient to a waiting ambulance for onward treatment in the hospital. The unit stood down at 20.20

Incident 21/14

On Wednesday Irish Coast Guard units from Howth and Skerries met with Dublin Fire Brigade units from Swords, Finglas and Phibsboro. Both services got to display equipment including the

-          Thermal Imaging Cameras
-          Cliff Rescue System
-          Coast Guard Boat
-          Area Lighting system

The Coast Guard Cliff Rescue system now allows for another emergency service member to be lowered to a scene.  This has proved to be very useful in lowering a paramedic to a casualty to provide additional medical assistance. Overall the meeting was very useful and helps both parties understand the respective service’s roles and equipment.
  
Thanks to Swords Fire Station for their hospitality in hosting the event.