HM Coastguard is coordinating a search for an overdue kayaker. The Kayaker left from Portmuck, County Antrim, Northern Ireland and has not returned as expected.
The Kayaker was reported overdue to the Coastguard just before 19:00 last night by a concerned friend.
The Royal Navy Rescue helicopter based at Prestwick, Irish coast guard rescue helicopter based at Dublin, the police helicopter, lifeboats from Redbay, Donaghadee, Bangor and the all-weather and inshore lifeboats from Larne, along with Coastguard Rescue Teams from Port Muck, Larne and Bangor are involved in the search.
Dawn Petrie, UK Coastguard said:
“The kayker was reported overdue after not returning home this afternoon, we are carrying out an extensive search in the Gobbins coastal path area of Portmuck. Rescue resources were quickly sent to the area and we are also asking vessels in the area to help”
RNLI adds:
A massive search and rescue operation from Belfast Lough to Fairhead in County Antrim, involving four RNLI lifeboats has resumed this morning (Tuesday 29 September) in a bid to find a kayaker missing from yesterday afternoon.
Volunteer lifeboat crew from Larne, Red Bay, Bangor and Donaghadee RNLI searched for the missing man throughout the early hours, stopping at 3.30am for a short rest and to allow lifeboats to refuel.
Despite the darkness, weather conditions for searching were described as good during the night with clear visibility.
This morning, Larne RNLI’s all-weather and inshore lifeboats and Red Bay RNLI’s inshore lifeboat launched once again while Campletown RNLI in Scotland also joined the search. The operation is being coordinated by Belfast Coastguard.
Larne RNLI was first requested to launch at 7.30pm yesterday evening following a report of a missing kayaker who had set sail from Portmuck at Islandmagee at 1.30pm. The kayaker was due to return to shore at 3pm.
Larne RNLI’s all-weather and inshore lifeboats were initially launched to search from Portmuck to Whitehead before moving to search the area of Gobbins Path. Red Bay RNLI meanwhile was diverted while on a training exercise and requested to go southwards towards Larne. Later at 9.30pm, the search was extended and both the inshore lifeboat from Bangor and the all-weather lifeboat from Donaghadee launched. Bangor RNLI initially searched the Groomsport area before moving across back up into Belfast Lough while Donaghadee searched the Copelands area.
As the search got underway once again this morning, Darren Byers, RNLI Divisional Operations Manager said: ‘Our volunteers have had a short break to rest and refuel their lifeboats but are now back out and will be making every attempt this morning to find the missing kayaker and bring him home. Our thoughts and prayers are very much with the man and his family at this time.’