Skerries RNLI crews called out twice in busy afternoon
- Pat Nolan
- 1 hour ago
- 2 min read
Wednesday 12 August 2026
Skerries RNLI volunteers were called out twice by Dublin Coast Guard on Monday afternoon (August 10), assisting a motorboat with engine failure before responding to a second incident involving a grounded sailing vessel in Malahide.
The first call came shortly before 2.30pm following a distress call from a vessel that had suffered engine failure northeast of Lambay Island.
The Skerries volunteers launched their Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat, Louis Simson, and navigated around Red Island and through the Skerries Islands before proceeding to the position given by the casualty vessel.
On arrival, the lifeboat crew located an 8.5 metre motorboat with three people on board. All three were found to be safe and well, but the vessel had suffered complete engine failure and was drifting towards the rocks around Lambay.
With no other suitable towing vessel in the area, the lifeboat helm decided the safest option was to tow the motorboat to the nearest safe port at Malahide.
A stern tow was established initially, before the crew switched to an alongside tow as they approached the channel for Malahide Marina. The motorboat and all three people on board were brought safely alongside the marina jetty.
However, as Louis Simson was leaving the marina, the volunteers were tasked for a second time by Dublin Coast Guard.
This time they were asked to assist a sailing vessel carrying one adult and four children which had become grounded in the Malahide estuary.
The lifeboat quickly located the vessel and established that the crew had already requested assistance from a sailing club rescue boat. The Skerries lifeboat stood by until the rescue boat arrived and took the four children safely aboard.
The skipper chose to remain with the sailing vessel until it refloated on the incoming tide. The RNLI volunteers assisted in ensuring the vessel was securely anchored before being stood down by Dublin Coast Guard.
The lifeboat then returned to Skerries.
Conditions during both incidents were relatively benign, with Force 2 to 3 northerly winds, good visibility and a slightly choppy sea.
Speaking about the two call-outs, Skerries RNLI volunteer lifeboat press officer Gerry Canning said that everyone involved had been wearing lifejackets and that both vessels were well maintained and properly equipped for safety.
“It just goes to show that no matter how well prepared you are, things can and do go wrong at sea,” he said.
“That’s why our volunteers are on call 24/7, 365 days a year.”
