Rescue teams had their work cut out for them today amid back-to-back callouts, as a search for a possible missing person got underway alongside a mission to assist a kayaker in difficulty in the water.
At 10.28 am this morning, April 10, Valentia Coast Guard requested Lough Derg RNLI to launch following a report from a resident on Illaunmore that a speedboat was at an unsafe location north of the island and appeared not to have anyone on board.
Valentia Coast Guard requested the lifeboat to check the vessel and determine whether anyone was in need of assistance.
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Then, at 10.39 am Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat Jean Spier launched with helm Eleanor Hooker, Doireann Kennedy, Chris Parker, and Richard Nolan on board.
At 10.55 am the RNLI lifeboat crew could see the casualty vessel at the location reported north of Illaunmore.
An RNLI crew member waded beside the vessel and found it to be at anchor astern, with a line from its bow to a tree on the shore.
As the vessel had been made secure, the RNLI volunteer checked through the cabin windows and was satisfied there was no one on board.
The lifeboat reported its findings to Valentia Coast Guard, who then stood down the lifeboat.
The lifeboat departed the scene at 10.59 am and returned to the station at 11.12 am.
Kayaker in trouble
At 11.45 am Valentia Coast Guard launched the Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat to assist a kayaker reported to be in difficulty in the water in Dromineer Bay, close to St. David’s.
At 11.54 am Jean Spier launched with helm Eleanor Hooker, Doireann Kennedy, and Chris Parker headed to the kayaker’s location.
En route, two kayakers informed the RNLI crew that they were a party of four and that their companion was in the water to the right of St. David’s. A third kayaker paddling to safety, pointed towards the location of the kayaker in the water.
The RNLI volunteers quickly located the person whose profile was low in the water.
At 11.56am the lifeboat was alongside the casualty who had managed to get up on and lie lengthways on their upturned kayak.
The casualty was taken onto the lifeboat along with the kayak and paddle. The casualty was feeling cold but was not exhibiting signs of hypothermia. Whilst taking the casualty to safety, the lifeboat met the other three kayakers rowing a sheltered route in the lee of Goose Island. The lifeboat remained with them until they reached the safe harbour.
Once delivered safely back on land, the RNLI volunteers advised all four kayakers to change immediately into dry clothing and to have a warm drink.
Aoife Kennedy, Deputy Launching Authority at Lough Derg RNLI said the earlier callout was a ‘false alarm but with good intent’. She thanked the public for their vigilance.
Ms. Kennedy advises all lake users to ‘check the weather before going afloat and to remember that the water is still cold at this time of year so do dress appropriately for your activity’.
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