As Howth RNLI’s volunteers gathered to mark a special moment to celebrate 200 years of the RNLI last Thursday (1 August), pagers sounded with a report of an inflatable kayak with two people aboard that was being blown offshore from nearby Portmarnock Beach.
As the inshore lifeboat was already in the water, preparing for the station photograph, the crew were able to launch immediately shortly after 6pm. Visibility was good with a moderate southerly offshore breeze.
Within 10 minutes, the lifeboat reached the inflatable kayak, which had blown some 500 meters offshore. A passing motorboat had heard the VHF radio communications between the lifeboat and Dublin Coast Guard and stood by the kayak awaiting the lifeboat’s arrival.
Once on scene, the crew took the two persons on board the lifeboat and assessed their condition. Both cold and tired, were otherwise in good health.
The kayak was also taken on board and the lifeboat made its way back to Portmarnock beach, where the crew handed the two persons into the care of beach lifeguards.
Howth RNLI volunteers mark ‘One Moment for One Crew’ to celebrate 200 years of the RNLI — sans the inshore lifeboat and crew who departed for Portmarnock on a rescue call-out | Credit: RNLI/Johnny Wormold
Speaking following the incident, Ronan Murphy, helm of the Howth RNLI inshore lifeboat said: “This was one of our quickest launch times given that the lifeboat was already in the water and crew in their kit to take part in the 'One Moment for One Crew' photograph.
“Thankfully this gave us precious minutes to reach the two persons in difficulty, who had already been blown almost 500 metres offshore by the time we reached them.
“Although the conditions for heading out on the water were good [on Thursday], things can change very quickly and with inflatables like these, even the slightest wind can take them out to sea. You should carefully consider the suitability of inflatables in Irish waters. Make sure to always check the weather forecast and tides before you head out to sea.
“It’s also really important that anyone going out on the water wears a lifejacket that is suitable for the activity they are doing and that it is in good working order and fits well. You should also carry a means of calling for help. A mobile phone in a waterproof pouch can work well for kayakers who are staying close to the shore.
“Although we missed the opportunity to take part in the ‘One Moment One Crew’ photograph at Howth RNLI, what unfolded yesterday was a really great example of the value of our lifesaving work. Our volunteer crew will drop what they’re doing once the pager goes off to get out there and save lives at sea. That has been our charity’s mission for 200 years, and we hope to be in a position to continue that service for 200 more here at Howth.”
As previously reported on Afloat.ie, lifeboat crews joined station volunteers and staff across Ireland and the UK last Thursday for the special event to create a photographic record of those involved with the lifesaving charity in this, its 200th anniversary year.
