Two young volunteer crew members from Arranmore RNLI have been recognised by the charity for their part in the September 2023 rescue of kayaker Malachy Doyle.
JJ O’Donnell and Evan O’Donnell boarded the Y boat, the station’s small rigid inflatable lifeboat capable of searching in confined areas, in the search for missing kayaker Malachy Doyle.
Following an extensive search by the volunteer lifeboat crew and several local boat crews, Malachy was discovered in a cave on Owey Island.
With only the smallest window of opportunity due to the large swell entering the cave, the two crew members went into the cave where they located Malachy on a ledge and brought him safely onboard the all-weather lifeboat.
On Saturday (20 September), Malachy presented JJ and Evan with certificates of commendation from the RNLI.
Malachy is an award-winning writer for children, living on Cruit Island. He is also an active hiker and runner, and in his own words a keen kayaker — until the day a freak wave tossed him into the water and he found himself trapped in a deep cave and in dire need of rescue.
After 30 minutes in the water, followed by three frightening hours on a narrow ledge in the cave, his sense of relief at seeing his rescuers was immense.
Arranmore RNLI coxswain on the day was Sean O’Donnell, who said: “This recognition is well deserved for JJ and Evan. Their competence and professionalism is a credit to themselves and their family and the result is testament to the extensive training all crew members receive from the RNLI in order to save lives at sea.”
