Fethard RNLI start New Year with kayak recovery launch
Fethard RNLI launched its inshore lifeboat this afternoon (Monday January 1 2018) to conduct a joint search with Fethard Coast Guard after a reported sighting of a kayak floating in the sea in the water off Crooke Chapel, Passage East, Waterford.
Fethard Lifeboat crew was requested to launch their inshore lifeboat at 1.50pm. They quickly assembled at the station and the lifeboat immediately proceeded to Duncannon beach where they launched to carry out a search for the Kayak.
Weather conditions at the time were choppy with a strong west north west Force 6 wind.
The crew located the kayak which had run aground at Glenwater Bay halfway between Arthurstown and Duncannon.
Meanwhile, Fethard Coast Guard unit were carrying out a search of the shore.
The kayak had become afloat after a kayaker had left it unattended while the tide was rising.
Speaking following the call out, Hugh Burke, Fethard RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager said: ‘Prevention is always better. We were aware that there was nobody in trouble but to prevent unnecessary calls it was better to locate the abandoned kayak as early as possible. The search proved to be a great example of interagency work between ourselves and our colleagues in the Irish Coast Guard. If you lose a kayak or a board, please report it to the Coast Guard or the Gardaí.’
Ends
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For more information please telephone Damien McGarry, Fethard RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer on 0858188938 or email
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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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