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Red Bay RNLI rescue two people after kayak capsize near Waterfoot

Lifeboats News Release

Volunteer lifeboat crew with Red Bay RNLI rescued two people this afternoon (Saturday 17 June) after the kayak they were in capsized and left them clinging to the upturned vessel and shouting for help in the water near Waterfoot in County Antrim.

The alarm was raised at 3.33pm when a member of the public heard the two men shouting for help after their kayak capsized and they were blown out to sea.

The Red Bay inshore lifeboat was immediately requested to launch by Belfast Coastguard and the lifeboat crew were quickly on scene.

As they arrived on scene the lifeboat crew saw the two men in the water clinging to an upturned kayak. They immediately recovered them onto the lifeboat and brought them safely ashore.

Commenting on the callout Red Bay RNLI Helm Paddy McLaughlin said, ‘It was a beautiful day on the Antrim coast and many people took to the water. These men were very lucky their calls for help were heard and that the lifeboat crew were on scene so quickly. We would advise everyone enjoying the water during the warm weather to take all necessary safety precautions including wearing a suitable flotation device and having a means of calling for help.’

Ends

RNLI media contacts
For information please contact Paddy McLaughlin Red Bay RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer Tel: 078 02 308821 Niamh Stephenson RNLI Public Relations Manager on 00 353 87 1254 124 email [email protected] or Nuala McAloon RNLI Press Officer Tel: 00 353 87 6483547 email [email protected]

Red Bay RNLI rescue two people clinging to capsized kayak

RNLI/Red Bay

Red Bay RNLI rescue two people clinging to capsized kayak

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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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