Arklow RNLI launches to rescue two kayakers

Arklow RNLI's all-weather lifeboat under Coxswain Ned Dillon and volunteer crew, Geoff Kearnes, James Russell, Craig O’Reilly, Austin Gaffney, Jimmy Myler and Eddie McElheron launched immediately and made their way to the scene.

Weather conditions at the time were described as good with a calm sea, light wind and good visibility.

Upon arrival at the nearby Roadstone jetty, two kayaks were spotted in the water, almost under the jetty. One of the casualties had slipped from their kayak into the water and was not able to recover back onto the craft. While the second person had stayed on the kayak alongside the casualty but was unable to assist. The casualty was recovered from the water to the lifeboat and once safely aboard the second person was recovered along with both of the kayaks. The casualty was given first aid and was cold and fatigued but uninjured. The lifeboat returned to station and the casualties were given refreshments and warmed up, before they left.

Speaking following the call out, Mark Corcoran, Arklow RNLI Community Safety Officer said , “Thankfully we were able to assist these kayakers safely back to shore. Given the good weather there are a lot more people around and on the water, we would like to share the message that if you are going on or in the water; always carry a means of calling for help, always wear a lifejacket and other appropriate protection, always check the weather and tides before going to sea and please Respect The Water.

Further Water Safety Information can be found at www.respectthewater.com

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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]

RNLI online

For more information on the RNLI please visit rnli.org. News releases and other media resources, including RSS feeds, downloadable photos and video, are available at the RNLI News Centre rnli.org/news-and-media.

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around Ireland and the UK. The RNLI operates 46 lifeboat stations in Ireland. The RNLI is independent of government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, the charity has saved over 142,200 lives.

ESCORTING 2 ND KAYAKER TO BEACH

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RNLI media contacts

For more information please contact Mark Corcoran, Arklow RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer at 0867398917, email [email protected] or contact Nuala McAloon, RNLI Regional Media Officer on 087 648 3547 or email [email protected] or Niamh Stephenson, RNLI Regional Media Manager on 087 1254 124 or [email protected]

RNLI online

For more information on the RNLI please visit rnli.org. News releases and other media resources, including RSS feeds, downloadable photos and video, are available at the RNLI News Centre rnli.org/news-and-media.

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around Ireland and the UK. The RNLI operates 46 lifeboat stations in Ireland. The RNLI is independent of government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service.

Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, the charity has saved over 142,200 lives.

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.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

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