Dún Laoghaire RNLI volunteers rescued six people during two incidents off the Dublin coast on Friday afternoon.
The station's all-weather lifeboat, Anna Livia, was first launched at 3.35 pm to assist two adults and a child aboard a four-metre RIB that had broken down near the Muglins, south of Dalkey. The RIB's engine restarted, allowing the vessel to return to Dún Laoghaire Harbour under escort from the lifeboat.
However, as the lifeboat approached the East Pier, Dublin Coast Guard diverted the crew to a second emergency involving a capsized kayak near Sandycove.
Two adults and a child had entered the water after the kayak overturned. All three were recovered safely and brought to Dún Laoghaire lifeboat station, where paramedics and ambulance crews were waiting to provide medical assistance.
RNLI Coxswain Kieran "Colley" O'Connell said the incidents highlighted the importance of proper safety equipment. "We want to remind parents to ensure that children wear lifejackets that are the correct size and appropriate to their weight," he said.
O'Connell also acknowledged the support of local emergency services, including Dún Laoghaire Coast Guard, local lifeguards, An Garda Síochána, Coast Guard Helicopter 116 and the National Ambulance Service.
The busy afternoon followed a demanding week for the station's volunteers.
Over the previous seven days, Dún Laoghaire RNLI crews responded to seven separate incidents, including assisting people cut off by tides, rescuing an exhausted kayaker off Killiney Beach and responding to reports of people in difficulty in the water.
Dún Laoghaire RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer Aoife Ward praised the station's volunteers for maintaining a high level of readiness. "Our station is able to respond to a high volume of shouts like we've seen this past week due to the dedicated volunteer crew of both lifeboats," she said.
The RNLI continues to urge anyone heading afloat this summer to wear a lifejacket, check local conditions and call 112 or 999 if they see someone in difficulty.
