The Irish Coast Guard 999 operations centre this evening received an emergency call from the public reporting possible kayakers in difficulty off Red Rock in Sutton. The Irish Coast Guard station in Howth and Life Guards from Dollymount Beach were tasked. The Life Guards launched their 4.6 meter Rescue Rib while Coast Guard personnel went to the shoreline to investigate.
When rescue teams arrived they were faced with challenging weather conditions with offshore winds and the tide dropping resulting in the kayakers being pushed further out into Dublin Bay. The Dollymount Life Guard Rescue Boat located four kayakers on the rocks, one of the kayakers was taken onboard the rescue boat while the other three climbed back up to the cliff path. A further 8 kayakers were then towed back to shore by the Life Guards bringing the total to 9 assisted back to shore.
Upon arrival back to shore the kayakers met with the Coast Guard team, it transpired most of the kayakers were novices and were on board a commercially organised kayaking trip using sit on kayaks. While all were wearing life jackets and wet suits the group had very limited safety equipment with them. The group had no marine VHF radio or distress flares, they hadn't observed the small craft warning in place and hadn't logged their journey with the Coast Guard operations centre.
Thankfully due to quick response of the rescue teams no medical assistance was required for the kayakers, we would ask the public to ensure any trips they take have the above precautions in place and that they have obtained a full safety briefing before partaking in water related activities. For more information visit www.safetyonthewater.ie.
When rescue teams arrived they were faced with challenging weather conditions with offshore winds and the tide dropping resulting in the kayakers being pushed further out into Dublin Bay. The Dollymount Life Guard Rescue Boat located four kayakers on the rocks, one of the kayakers was taken onboard the rescue boat while the other three climbed back up to the cliff path. A further 8 kayakers were then towed back to shore by the Life Guards bringing the total to 9 assisted back to shore.
Upon arrival back to shore the kayakers met with the Coast Guard team, it transpired most of the kayakers were novices and were on board a commercially organised kayaking trip using sit on kayaks. While all were wearing life jackets and wet suits the group had very limited safety equipment with them. The group had no marine VHF radio or distress flares, they hadn't observed the small craft warning in place and hadn't logged their journey with the Coast Guard operations centre.
Thankfully due to quick response of the rescue teams no medical assistance was required for the kayakers, we would ask the public to ensure any trips they take have the above precautions in place and that they have obtained a full safety briefing before partaking in water related activities. For more information visit www.safetyonthewater.ie.
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