Youghal RNLI’s lifeboat volunteers in East Cork launched twice over the May Bank Holiday weekend, to join the rescue efforts for a boat aground on rocks and a kayaker in difficulty.
Late on Saturday afternoon (4 May) the crew were requested to launch their Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat to take part in a multi-agency response following reports of two people aboard a 5m pleasure craft with engine failure that ended up on rocks near Goat Island beach in the Youghal Bay area.
Helmed by Jason Ansbro alongside crew members Jason Innes, Joe O’Connor and Ivan Bryan, the lifeboat arrived on scene shortly before 6pm in favourable weather conditions and a falling tide.
Two lifeboat crew members entered the water and swam ashore to the boat, which was high and dry on the rocks. They observed that the two men onboard, who were both wearing lifejackets, were safe and well and did not require any medial assistance.
It was decided that, due to the position of the boat, the casualties should be airlifted to safety by the Waterford-based Irish Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 117 and handed over to Ardmore Coast Guard, who were waiting close by.
Before leaving the scene, the lifeboat crew secured the casualty boat, which had to be left at the scene.
Youghal RNLI’s inshore lifeboat approaches the casualty kayaker on the rocks, with another kayaker nearby in the shadow of Sampson Crane in Ardmore Bay on Monday 6 May | Credit: RNLI/Mel Mullane
As the long weekend drew to a close on Monday (6 May), the lifeboat was called out at 3.55pm to reports of kayakers in difficulty at Sampson Crane in Ardmore Bay.
The inshore lifeboat, again helmed by Jason Ansbro with crew members Jack Nolan, Jason Innes and John McCarthy, arrived within 10 minutes of launching and one crew member was put into the water to swim to the rocks to assess the casualty, who was standing waiting for assistance.
He did not require any medical attention and was escorted to the lifeboat along with his kayak that had filled with water and capsized.
Weather conditions at the time were fair with a calm sea state and light breeze. Rescue 117 was also in attendance and proceeded to do a sweep of the area to confirm there were no other casualties.
The crew that remained in the lifeboat approached another kayaker who was close by but did not require any assistance. They proceeded to follow the lifeboat to Ardmore Pier where they were handed over to Ardmore Coast Guard awaiting their arrival.
Speaking after the Monday call-out, Youghal RNLI helm Jason Ansbro said: “This was a straightforward shout with a great outcome. With the weather becoming finer it is so important to always have a means of communication within reach at all times.”
