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Union Hall RNLI respond to report of overdue kayakers

Lifeboats News Release

Union Hall RNLI was requested to launch their inshore lifeboat by the Irish Coast Guard at 6.23pm yesterday (Sunday, 13 September) following a report that two kayakers were overdue at the Long Strand in West Cork.

Photo of the crew involved in the callout

RNLI/Pamela Deasy

Volunteers for callout today
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The lifeboat helmed by Tim Forde and with crew members Ríona Casey, Annette Glanton and Aodh O’Donnell onboard, launched at 6.33pm.

Once on scene, the lifeboat crew on the Christine and Raymond Fielding, commenced a search for the kayakers who were located fishing and not in any immediate danger.

Weather conditions at sea were clam at the time with south westerly winds at three knots. The crew spoke with the kayakers who were happy to make their back to shore unaided. Castlefreke Coast Guard unit was also on scene and assisted the kayakers back to shore.

The lifeboat returned to the station at 7.39 pm, and were assisted ashore by Head Launcher John Kelleher together with Colin McCarthy, Peter Deasy, and Denis O’Donovan.

Following the call out, John Kelleher, Union Hall RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager said: ‘The two kayakers were safe and well when the lifeboat arrived but we would like to commend the member of the public who raised the alarm when they were overdue as that is always the right thing to do.

'We would encourage anyone planning a trip to sea to go prepared. Always wear a lifejacket or suitable flotation device for your activity, always carry a means of communication such as a fully charged mobile phone in a waterproof pouch, check the weather and tides and wear suitable clothing. Should you get into difficulty or see someone else in trouble, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.'

Ends

RNLI/Pamela Deasy

Lifeboat - Christine and Raymond Fielding
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RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

Pamela Deasy, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for RNLI Ireland, [email protected]

Nuala McAloon, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for Ireland, 087 648 3547, [email protected]


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 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 146,700 lives.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, TikTok 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.

About the author

Pamela Deasy
Lifeboat Press Officer, Union Hall Lifeboat Station

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