Larne RNLI were requested to launch on Friday afternoon (7 July) to reports of a kayaker in the water at Portmuck.
Both of Larne’s lifeboats launched after pagers sounded at 5.24pm and made their way towards the casualty’s last reported location at Portmuck on Islandmagee, on Northern Ireland’s East Antrim coast.
The casualty’s kayak was discovered roughly half a mile north of Muck Island but there was no sign of any person nearby.
The all-weather lifeboat, Dr John McSaprron, continued the search for the casualty and found them in the water near to Portmuck Harbour holding onto their kayak’s paddle and being supported with a buoyancy aid.
The casualty was quickly recovered onto the all-weather lifeboat where they were checked to ensure they were not injured or suffering from any effects of being in the cold water.
Apart from feeling cold, the casualty was well and in good spirits.
Meanwhile, the smaller inshore lifeboat, Terry, had been requested to recover the casualty’s kayak from the earlier reported location north of Muck Island.
Once the kayak was recovered, the inshore lifeboat met up with the all-weather lifeboat and the casualty was transferred into the smaller, more manoeuvrable boat so that they could be brought to the shelter of Portmuck Harbour and the care of the local mobile coastguard team.
Speaking after the call-out, Allan Dorman, Larne RNLI lifeboat operations manager said: “We’d like to thank the member of the public who called the coastguard when they saw the casualty fall into the water. Without their timely call, this could have had a very different result.
“It’s essential when you plan to go on the water that you have a buoyancy aid or some form of flotation device and it is important to make sure you have a way of contacting the shore should you get into difficulties on the water.
“Remember, if you see anyone in trouble at sea or get into difficulty yourself, contact 999 or 112 and ask for the coastguard.”