The Irish Coast Guard emergency operations centre this morning, shortly before 11am, received a call about a kayaker off Howth. A concerned member of the public had noted that the kayaker was on the water with no Life Jacket and rang the Coast Guard on 999. The kayaker had proceeded around the back of Ireland’s eye off Howth and out of visibility from the caller on land. While the kayaker didn’t appear in difficulty there were concerned for their safety.
 
The Irish Coast Guard unit in Howth and Howth RNLI Inshore lifeboat were tasked by the Coast Guard operations centre. A Coast Guard mobile unit proceeded to the end of the pier while the lifeboat launched on service to the back of Ireland’s Eye. The lifeboat located a female on an open deck kayak struggling in the water to return to shore.  If she fell in the water she had no means of staying afloat as she had no Life Jacket and only had a phone to call for help, there can be very limited if any phone signal once you go on the water. The kayaker hadn’t checked the weather which was unsuitable for the craft she was in. Lessons learnt are you need to have an emergency plan if going on the water – VHF radio, Flares, Whistle, Weather information. Equally if not more important you need a LIFE JACKET. NO EXCUSE.
 
Thankfully a successful ending and the kayaker was brought back ashore by the lifeboat. Praise has to be given to the concerned member of public whose call out of concern for a potential incident could have averted a much more serious situation from arising. If you see someone whom you think may get into trouble, don’t delay or assume someone else will do it– Make that call to the COAST GUARD on 112 or 999. Better to be safe than sorry.