Lough Ree RNLI locate two kayakers as Storm Bella approached

The two men had departed Coosan Point at lunchtime and the alarm was raised by a member of the public when the kayakers had not returned to their car some 90 minutes later.

The Lough Ree RNLI volunteer lifeboat crew launched in Force 7 winds just after 3pm. Under helm Emmet Devereux the volunteer lifeboat Tara Scougall began a search of the inner lakes and spotted the two kayaks ashore near Portaneena. In a follow-up shoreline search one of the volunteer lifeboat crew located the two kayakers safe and well.

Following the search volunteer lifeboat helm Emmet Devereux asked all lake users ‘to double check weather forecasts for the entire duration of their trip on the water’.

Ends

RNLI media contacts

For more information please telephone Tom McGuire, Lough Ree RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 0872470245 or email [email protected] or contact Nuala McAloon, Regional Media Officer on 0876483547 or [email protected] or Niamh Stephenson, Regional Media Manager on 0871254124 or [email protected]

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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 142,700 lives.

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Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.