Portaferry’s coastguard rescue team was paged yesterday morning (Saturday 7 March) to a report of multiple kayakers capsized in the water off Killyleagh on Strangford Lough.
Portaferry RNLI were also tasked to the incident, recovering four individuals from the water and locating two more on Don O’Neill Island.
Another two were found on Island Taggart, and they were winched to safety by HM Coastguard rescue helicopter R199 based in Prestwick, south of Glasgow in Scotland.
The casualties were then taken to Killyleagh where Bangor Coastguard Rescue Team had set up a landing point.
The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service also tasked the Air Ambulance NI and Hazard Area Response Team to the scene.
All eight persons were checked over by the doctor and paramedics, with no further treatment needed.
“Well done to all emergency services involved in this incident and a good outcome in the end,” Portaferry Coastguard Rescue Team said.
Following the rescue, as BBC News reports, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency issued general advice to kayakers.
“We’d always recommend that kayakers tell someone at home their passage plan including points of arrival and departure, timescale and any other relevant information.
“It would also be advisable to consider advising the coastguard of your intentions and any deviation of your plans.
“You should also carry a VHF marine band radio and/or PLB (personal locator beacon).”
