Wicklow RNLI launch to search for overdue kayakers

The Kayakers were reported overdue to the Coast Guard by a concerned relative after he lost mobile phone contact with them and darkness was falling. The lifeboat under command of Coxswain Nick Keogh was on scene ten minutes after launching and began a search off Wicklow head, the crew located the kayakers in fading light near the Horseshoe buoy.

The man and woman had left the beach at Ballinacarrig, near Brittas bay earlier heading north for Wicklow harbour, as they approached Wicklow head, the tide and current was too strong and they were being pushed back in a southerly direction.

Rescue 116 was also tasked along with a Coast Guard shore unit from Wicklow. They were stood down once the casualties were located.

The two people were transferred onto the lifeboat and landed safely back at Wicklow harbour shortly after 9pm, where they were reunited with their relieved family.

The crew on the callout were Coxswain Nick Keogh, Mechanic Dean Mulvihill, Ciaran Doyle, Tommy McAulay, David O’ Leary and Connie O Gara.

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The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.

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