Helicopter and lifeboat search at Curracloe turns up nothing

WHILE it was a lovely day for relaxing on the beach last Wednesday, people watched on anxiously, fearing the worst, as the Coast Guard Rescue 117 helicopter circled above Curracloe and the Rosslare Lifeboat travelled up and back along the coast.

Emergency services had received a call shortly after 1 p.m. from people who had been walking on the beach and believed that they may have spotted a body floating in the water. The helicopter and the Rosslare Lifeboat mobilised immediately and were quick on the scene, but, thankfully, nothing was discovered and it appears to have been a false alarm.

‘We searched for around two hours and took in a few bits and pieces, but we don’t really know what it might have been that the people saw,’ said Operations Manager at Rosslare Lifeboat Dave Maloney.

‘I would say though that those people did the right thing by calling it in. It’s better for us to go out and check it out rather than leaving it until there’s a report of someone missing.’

One of the theories is that the ‘body’ spotted in the water may have been that of a seal. However, the authorities were happy to check it out and all’s well that ends well.

‘I would urge people never to hesitate in calling something in if they see something they’re not happy with,’ Mr Maloney reiterated. ‘With it being the height of summer, we’d ask people to be careful out there and look after each other. Don’t go off swimming out to sea on your own and if you spot someone in difficulty, call it in.’