Emergency planA full-scale emergency plan was put into operation in Dún Laoghaire harbour yesterday afternoon after a squall hit a junior boating regatta of 115 boats with 141 competitors.
Fifteen young people and one adult were taken to hospitals around the city suffering from cold, exposure and shock. None of the injuries was life-threatening and most people were expected to be discharged last night.
Some 35 ambulances, as well as six units of the Dublin Fire Brigade, the Dublin Coast Guard helicopter and gardaí were involved in the operation. The young people had been taking part in the opening day of the annual Royal St George Yacht Club Youth Regatta. The regatta is due to continue today.
It emerged yesterday that Met Éireann had issued a small craft warning at 4am and this was broadcast at 6.55am.
Hugh Daly, duty manager in the forecast section of Met Éireann, told The Irish Times that any winds stronger than 35-40 knots - a force-six gale - are considered dangerous for small craft. "There was a force-eight gale warning in place for all coastal waters," he said. "But it's up to the individual judgment. A sailor should know their own area and may judge what their capabilities are, which particular bays are more sheltered."
David Branigan, spokesman for the the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) in Dún Laoghaire, would not comment on the wisdom of allowing a large number of young people out on small crafts in unpredictable weather conditions. "We are here to assist, whatever the weather," he said. He described the weather as "poor visibility, strong winds".
"The rescue craft on the scene were dealing with towing boats and bringing any sailors who were not able to sail ashore on their own in with the assistance of the rescue craft."
He said the Dún Laoghaire RNLI had received a request "to go to the assistance of a yacht racing" event at 2pm. "Eight volunteer crew immediately assembled and the boats launched, with the all-weather life boat Anna Livia proceeding to the scene, followed by the inshore life boat.
"Dublin Coast Guard radio assigned onshore command to the all-weather lifeboat and a rescue operation commenced.
"The all-weather life boat was joined by Howth RNLI lifeboat, the coastguard helicopter from Dublin airport as well as the Irish naval service, the Dublin Port pilot boat, the Irish Lights Vessel and a number of other commercial and private craft."
Local TD and Minister for Education, Mary Hanafin, said the ensuing fall-out "could have been horrendous".
She had been at Government Buildings when she got a call from the office of Noel Dempsey, Minister for Transport and Marine, telling her of the incident. "I came straight out. I always fear the worst when the sea is involved and I fear the worst when it's children."
Asked whether she felt it was wise to have gone ahead with a youth regatta given the weather conditions, she said: "Well no one can predict the weather but the weather was obviously quite squally."
President Mary McAleese paid tribute to the rescue services and those involved in the rescue. "Thankfully a potential major tragedy has been averted," she said. Her comments were echoed by the Minister for Defence Willie O'Dea, who also paid tribute to all involved.
A number of local businesses sent food and hot drinks to the shore as news of the incident spread.