Arklow RNLI launch to reports of lone jet skier in distress

The volunteer crew responded quickly and within minutes of the request were aboard RNLB Ger Tigchlearr and underway.

In good conditions, the all-weather Trent class lifeboat made its way to the reported position south of Arklow Harbour near a local beach known as The Cove.

Once on scene a search was set up, other Arklow RNLI volunteers searched the shoreline.

With no sign of a jet-ski in the area, a wider search was being set up when a jet-ski was reported as broken down halfway up the mouth of the Avoca River. The lifeboat immediately returned to the river and then took the jet-ski on tow back into the inner harbour.

The lifeboat had passed this jet-ski which was heading back to Arklow on the way out to the call out. It had developed engine trouble for the second time as the owner made his way back to the harbour. The volunteers then assisted the owner in getting his boat back to the slipway for recovery.

Following this, the lifeboat then returned to her berth, where all aboard came ashore safely.

Following the incident, Mark Corcoran, Volunteer Press Officer and Community Safety Officer at Arklow RNLI said: 'Thankfully this jet-skier had managed to get his craft started again and had returned to the river under his own power. When his engine had started to give trouble again he was able to go alongside the harbour wall and wait for the lifeboat to come back in to tow him to the inner harbour. As always, we’d like to remind anyone going to sea to wear a lifejacket and carry a means of calling for help. Please do this to ensure we have the best chance possible of getting you in time to affect a rescue. We would like to once again remind people to respect the water.'

Ends

RNLI media contacts

For more information please telephone Mark Corcoran, Arklow RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 086 8260439 or [email protected] or Nuala McAloon, Regional Media Officer on 0876483547 or [email protected] or Niamh Stephenson, Regional Media Manager on 0871254124 or [email protected]

Key facts about the RNLI

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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