Skerries RNLI launch to reports of kayaker in difficulty
Skerries RNLI launched yesterday afternoon (Thursday 16 July) following a 999 call to Dublin Coast Guard reporting that a kayaker appeared to be in difficulty near Loughshinny.
The volunteer crew launched the lifeboat shortly after 3pm and proceeded to Loughshinny. The position given by the caller indicated that the kayaker was in line with the Martello tower on the headland.
The volunteer crew spotted the kayak, however when approached he reported that he was not in fact in any difficulty and was heading towards the harbour. The lifeboat stood by until the kayak proceeded into the harbour and it was confirmed that it was the same kayak the member of public had reported. They were stood down by Dublin Coast Guard and returned to Skerries.
The lifeboat and the station were disinfected and made ready for the next service.
Speaking about the call out, volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for Skerries RNLI, Gerry Canning said: ‘In this case it was a false alarm with good intent. The caller was genuinely concerned and did the right thing dialling 999 and asking for the Coast Guard’
RNLI media contacts
For more information please telephone Gerry Canning, Skerries RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 087 988 4965 or email [email protected] or Nuala McAloon, RNLI Ireland Media Officer on 087 648 3547 or email [email protected] or Niamh Stephenson, RNLI Ireland Media Manager on 087 1254 124 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 146,000 lives.
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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
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