Kinsale RNLI comes to the aid of nine people in back to back call outs

The volunteer crew were first requested to launch their inshore lifeboat by the Irish Coast Guard at 12.16pm following reports of a person in the water by the popular Scilly walkway.

The lifeboat helmed by Nick Searls and with crew members Jim Grennan, Jon Green and Karl Dempsey onboard, launched and made its way to the scene.

The person had entered the water from their own row boat, while another person remained onboard. Once on scene, the crew assessed the situation and noted that the person in the water wasn't able to get out unaided. The crew proceeded to rescue the person from the water and bring them safely onboard the lifeboat before doing a casualty care check to ensure they were safe and well. With the person safe and in good spirits, they were then transferred back to their own boat where they had their own dry clothes to change into.

The lifeboat had no sooner returned to the lifeboat station, having been washed and refuelled, with the crew back in their cars ready to return to their day jobs, when a second pager alert came at 12.57pm.

Helm Nick Searls, John Walley, Jon Green and Karl Dempsey were back on the water after the lifeboat was requested to assess the situation where a 18ft boat with seven people onboard had got into difficulty at the mouth of Kinsale Harbour. Once on scene, the crew observed that all were safe and well but as the boat could not make safe any onward progress, a decision was made to tow the vessel back to the nearest safe port at Castlepark Marina.

Speaking after the call outs, Kinsale RNLI crew member John Walley said: ‘Like all the people onboard both boats today, we would encourage anyone planning a trip to sea to always wear a lifejacket or suitable personal floatation device for your activity and make sure it is fit for purpose and correctly maintained. Also make sure you are wearing suitable clothing for the forecasted weather.

‘As we approach the busy August Bank Holiday weekend, with increased visitors in the town and on the water for the Kinsale Regatta, we are urging everyone to enjoy themselves but to think safety first. We would ask swimmers and particularly those who may be visiting the area to learn the warning signs, read local safety notices and seek advice before entering the water. Should you get into difficulty or see someone else in trouble, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.'

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RNLI Media Contact

For more information, contact Therese O'Leary-Dinneen, Kinsale RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer at T_O'[email protected]

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI is the charity that 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 146,700 lives.

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