Coastguard urge public to make immediate contact if they see trouble

People are being urged to contact the coast guard immediately if they see anyone in trouble on the water.

With the weather improving and summer officially underway people are being reminded of the dangers posed by rivers and the sea.

Members of the public are being reminded that response time is of vital importance in the success of a rescue mission.

Spokesperson for Howth Coast Guard Fergus Cooney, even if people are unsure, it is always best to make the call to emergency services.

"If you come across someone you think may be in distress, whether it's on the beach, on a cliff or on the water, even if you are not fully sure, take out the phone and ring 112 or 999 and ask for the coastguard," said Mr Cooney.

"Don't assume someone else is going to make that call. Emergency services would much prefer to be on the way to an incident and turn back from it than to be called out to it two or three hours later when somebody has been reported missing. The consequences can be much more serious at that stage."