Youghal RNLI requested to launch as two people thought to be in difficulty

Youghal RNLI’s volunteer lifeboat crew first received a request from the Irish Coast Guard to launch their inshore lifeboat to reports of a paddleboarder thought to be in difficulty.

Shortly after launching in very good weather conditions the crew arrived at the reported location and the lifeboat was stood down because the paddleboarder had made it back to shore where the Youghal Coast Guard were on the shore awaiting his arrival.

After assessing the situation, the crew were satisfied that the man reported was not in difficulty and was safe and well. The lifeboat then returned to the station.

Just over an hour later, the volunteer crew’s pagers went again at 4.39pm to report of a kayaker looking for assistance around the Ardmore bay area. Again, upon arrival, the lifeboat was stood down as the kayaker did not require any further assistance.

Speaking after the two call outs, Mark Nolan, Youghal RNLI’s Deputy Launching Authority, said: ‘With the great warm weather we are currently enjoying it is tempting to go for a swim or engage in water activities, so we would urge people to remember to carry a means of communication so they can raise an alarm if they, or someone else, is in any danger. Even though the lifeboat was stood down twice today, we commend the people who raised the alarm.

‘If you think you’re in trouble, or if you think you see someone else in trouble, in or near the water, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard because we would much rather launch and be stood down when all is well than not launch at all.’

Ends

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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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