Valentia RNLI come to the aid of three fishermen and canoeist
Three fishermen were brought to safety by Valentia RNLI on Thursday morning (27 July), after their 11-metre vessel got into difficulties.
At 10.25am Valentia Coast Guard requested Valentia RNLI’s volunteer crew to launch their all-weather lifeboat and to go to the aid of three fishermen half a mile west of Dolous Head. Weather conditions at the time we described as moderate with a two-metre sea swell and Force 3 westerly wind.
The alarm was raised after a fisherman reported a fouled propeller. Arriving on scene the Coxswain carried out an assessment of the vessel and it was decided the best course of action was to tow the vessel. The crew brought them back to Cahirciveen Pier.
On Tuesday evening (25 July) the volunteer crew launched at 20.03pm to assist a sole canoeist, after they fell out of their canoe. The canoeist was located in Lough Kay, North of Beginish Island. The canoeist had fallen out of the canoe and was unable to flip the canoe back over and get back in. The casualty ended up swimming to rocks nearby. Arriving on scene our crew located the canoeist and a casualty care assessment was carried out. Taking into consideration the casualty’s condition, the best course of action was to take the canoeist back to Knightstown pier. The canoeist was then taken home by a member of the crew.
Speaking following the call out, Michelle O’Shea Valentia RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer said: “ Thankfully our recent call outs all had positive outcomes. As always I would like to remind all users of the sea to be as prepared as possible when going to sea. We would encourage all should you get into trouble or see someone else in difficulty, dial 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard. The RNLI is a service on call 365 days a year.”
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 142,700 lives.
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