On Thursday evening (20 June), during his first call-out as lifeboat helm with Youghal RNLI, Jack Nolan and his fellow crew rescued a kayaker who got into difficulty and ended up in the water near Capel Island.
The lifeboat was requested to launch at 7.40pm today (Thursday 20 June). Nolan and crew members Liam Keogh, Alan Revins and Jason Innes were about to recover the lifeboat after a training exercise and head back to the station when a call came in from the Irish Coast Guard to reports of a kayaker in trouble.
Weather conditions were described as favourable with a gentle south-westerly breeze and falling tide.
Shortly after being requested, the crew arrived at the location and found the casualty, who had been in the water for some time after falling from their kayak and being unable to climb back in.
The lifeboat crew took the casualty and the kayak onboard and started to make their way to Ring Strand, near Knockadoon.
Upon arrival and concerned for the casualty's condition, the crew requested the help of the Irish Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 117 from Waterford and Youghal Coast Guard. Once ashore, the lifeboat crew handed the casualty into the care of Youghal Coast Guard where they received medical assistance.
Speaking after the call-out, Mark Nolan, Youghal RNLI launch authority said: “We want to wish the casualty a speedy recovery following their ordeal and commend the person ashore who raised the alarm by dialling 112 on seeing someone in trouble, as time is always of the essence in situations like these.
“This routine training exercise turned into a call-out for us but we are prepared for that too. I would like to commend all involved for their work in bring this casualty onboard the lifeboat ashore, providing casualty care and then handing them into the care of our colleagues in the coastguard.”