THE RNLI RESCUED four swimmers caught in difficulty off the coast of Skerries today.

The alarm was sounded before midday when the Dublin Coast Guard received reports of four people caught in a rip current and unable to get back to shore.

Skerries RNLI launched the lifeboat with four volunteers, Philip Ferguson, Emma Wilson, AJ Hughes and David Knight at the helm.

The Skerries Coast Guard unit and helicopter Rescue 116 were also deployed to the scene.

The experienced swimmers – three men and one woman, all of whom were familiar with the area – got into difficulty off a local swimming spot known as the Springers.

When the life boat arrived, the casualties were spread over a large area between Red Island and Colt Island.

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RNLI volunteer Philip Ferguson entered the water to rescue the swimmers.

The swimmers had been in the water for some time at this stage and were suffering from fatigue and early symptoms of hypothermia.

The four swimmers were returned to the Skerries RNLI boathouse where they were assessed, monitored and treated for mild hypothermia.

Gerry Canning, volunteer lifeboat press officer for Skerries RNLI, said:

Rip currents are a major cause of accidental drowning on beaches across the world. Even if you know an area well, the currents may change based on the weather and tides.

“The speed of response is crucial in cases like this and our volunteers did an excellent job in getting there as safely and quickly as possible,” he added.
Afterwards all four swimmers were deemed fit and well enough to leave the station.

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