Kayakers rescued by RNLI

WICKLOW RNLI launched on Monday, August 28, to search for two kayakers who had yet to return to the shore.

A relative had become concerned after losing mobile phone contact with the pair as darkness descended and called the Coast Guard for assistance.

The all-weather lifeboat was launched at 8.37 p.m. under the command of Coxswain Nick Keogh. The crew began a search off Wicklow Head and located the kayakers in fading light near the Horseshoe buoy.

The man and woman had left the beach at Ballinacarrig, near Brittas Bay earlier that day, heading north for Wicklow Harbour. However, as they approached Wicklow Head, the tide and current became too strong, pushing them back in a southerly direction.

The Rescue 116 helicopter was also tasked along with a Coast Guard shore unit from Wicklow but both of these were stood down once the kayakers were located. The two people were transferred onto the lifeboat and landed safely back at Wicklow Harbour shortly after 9 p.m., where they were reunited with their relieved family.

The crew were Coxswain Nick Keogh, Mechanic Dean Mulvihill, Ciaran Doyle, Tommy McAulay, David O’Leary and Connie O’Gara.