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A KAYAKER IS recovering after getting into difficulty at Old Head of Kinsale in West Cork yesterday evening.
The Courtmacsherry RNLI boat was called out 5:45pm after the kayaker was spotted in the water.
The man was thrown off his kayak and was unable to remount because of high swells. He was attempting to round the lighthouse as weather conditions worsened.
Golfers on the Old Head of Kinsale Golf Links saw a person in trouble near the rocks on the western side of the Lighthouse and immediately raised the alarm.
RNLI coxswain Mark John Gannon and a crew of six set out within minutes.
Arriving at 6.14pm, crew members Ken Cashman and Donal Young used the lifeboat’s small inflatable boat to traverse into the rocky inlet at the lighthouse and were able to pull the kayaker from the water.
The man was assessed once he was aboard the main lifeboat before being assessed later at the station house where he received dry clothes and hot drinks.
All of his belongings including his phone and keys were lost at sea.
Station officers were able to reunite him with friends who came from North Cork to meet him.
Courtmacsherry RNLI Lifeboat voluntary Lifeboat Operations Manager Brian O Dwyer said the crew was relieved that the kayaker was rescued so quickly in tough seas, and thanked the golfers who saw the kayaker in trouble.
O’Dwyer praised the quick actions of the golfer who spotted the man in trouble.
Also tasked in yesterday’s callout were the Coast Guard Rescue 117 helicopter from Waterford and the Old Head/Seven Heads Coast Guard unit.
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Great news for a successful rescue by the RNLI, but the question must be asked as to why someone would take a Kayak out with out first checking the weather conditions or questioning their own ability to attempt open sea paddling, it’s great to see people enjoying this beautiful country we live in and the coastline that surrounds us, but it needs respect and training. Stay safe ⚓️
@Rob LLoyd: If you have a chimney fire and you call out the emergency services you are charged for that. I can’t see why a similar charge is not put in place and any money’s go to rnli
@John Vectravi: no, you are not for a chimney fire. That was short lived legislation as people were refusing to call the emergency services until it was too late and the chimney fire became a house fire. Same principle applies, if the kayaker new they were in difficulty then they should be safe in the knowledge that they can call the emergency services without fear of expense. Different situation if it was wreckless and they set out in a weather warning, they’re should be legislation for that 100%, not if the “conditions worsen” (as stated) beyond your capability.
@The Divils Avocado: Personally, I’m glad it was wreckless.
@The Divils Avocado: I don’t think you are right on this but I stand to be corrected. Here is the link to the fire service where it says there is a charge.
https://www.dublincity.ie/residential/dublin-fire-brigade/what-dublin-fire-brigade-do/fire-brigade-charges
@Damien Mc Padden: I new it would end well
So grateful he was found. 4 golden rules of canoeing. Never go canoeing on your own. Never enter sea if there is an offshore wind.
Paddle out as far as you can swim back to shore. And always tell someone what time you will be back on shore.
Reading these posts from the perfect people who would obviously Never make an error or have an accident… how different u are to the life boat. Thank God there are people like the lifeboat men and women who brought that man back to his family.
@Pádraigín O’Sirideáin: I fully agree in the having the RNLI on standby for Emergency’s, that is their roll and are a register charity as well,no one lives in this world ERROR free, but my point as any sea kayak user would tell you, Journey planing is essential along with being able to know where your own skills and confidence are lacking, no one can plan for freak waves or equipment failer, but putting others at risk because of your own poor planing is not a vaild reason enough to have RNLI on call 24 hours a day, Stay Safe
His real mistake was going alone! But it’s great to get a good news story, we’ll done golfer and RNLI
I hope he presented with a nice, appropriately sized bill…
@Gavin Linden: -Maritime weather forecasts are easily accessible these days – Another weekend warrior!
@Gavin Linden: I hope you never need our volunteers
@The Divils Avocado: Why?
@Gavin Linden: He made a mistake. Lucky to be alive. Give it a rest.
@Gavin Linden: so u would ask someone first of they can pay the bill before u pull them put of the water would you… I’m glad the brave volunteers who are the lifeboat men and women dont have ur mentality. .
Never kayak alone. First rule of kayaking.
Well done all again in Courtmacsherry RNLI, a fantastic group of volunteers
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