
Aran Islands RNLI rescues three kayakers
Aran Islands RNLI came to the aid of three kayakers who failed to return to shore yesterday afternoon (Tuesday 10 September). The alarm was raised when they were reported overdue.
The volunteer crew were initially requested to launch their all-weather lifeboat at 2pm for a medical evacuation from Inis Mór to Ros a Mhíl. However, while the crew had assembled in the Cill Rónain lifeboat station, a member of the public approached the station and alerted the crew that two people were overdue from their kayaking trip around the bay and they had lost communication with them and also with a member of the team who had gone to help them.
The kayakers had been able to radio the kayak rental to let them know that they had been blown ashore. A member of the kayak team went to retrieve them, however with the strong wind, was unable to bring them back to Cill Rónain harbour.
The lifeboat proceeded to launch for a search in the bay for the kayakers. Weather was fair with slight seas and a north westerly, force 6 wind and clear skies.
The crew onboard the lifeboat had spotted the people in the kayaks a half mile away from Cill Rónain pier. They were struggling to paddle against the wind and were being blown ashore onto the rocks.
The volunteer crew safely transferred all three people and their kayaks onboard and were transferred back to Cill Rónain harbour. Although tired, all were in good spirits and happy to be back on land.
Once the lifeboat was back in Cill Rónain, the lifeboat was stood down and Rescue 115 was tasked to take over the medical evacuation.
Speaking following the call out, Aonghus Ó hIarnáin, Aran Islands RNLI Coxswain said: ‘This was a good outcome that could have been a different story. When kayaking, remember to always bring the correct equipment and tell someone else where you’re going and when you’ll be back. This is exactly what happened today, the kayakers carried a means of communication and were able to alert someone to the fact they were in difficulty. With a person on shore knowing they were overdue, this allowed for the alarm to be raised promptly and for us to go to their aid. Should you get into difficulty or see someone in trouble, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.’
Ends
RNLI media contacts
For more information, please contact Treasa Ní Bhraonáin, Aran Islands Lifeboat Press Officer on 085 1500564 or email [email protected] or RNLI Regional Communications Manager on 087 648 3547 or email [email protected] or Niamh Stephenson, RNLI Regional Communications Lead on 087 1254 124 or [email protected] or Tom McGuire, Regional Communications Manager on 0874764436 or email [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.
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.