Kayakers brought to safety after two reported missing near Castlehaven

Union Hall RNLI were last night tasked by Valentia Coast Guard at 10.45pm after a report of two kayakers missing near Castlehaven harbour.

The Union Hall crew reported that weather conditions at sea at the time were poor, with a south east force 6 wind.

A statement said: 'A group of kayakers were brought to safety late last night (Thursday 18 August) by Union Hall RNLI after they got into difficulty during a night-time kayaking expedition off Castlehaven in Cork. The alarm was raised by one of the kayakers after two of the party became separated and the group needed assistance to make their way back to shore.

'Union Hall RNLI inshore lifeboat was launched at 10.45pm and proceeded to the scene.  When they arrived they learned that the two kayakers originally reported missing had managed to make it to safety on shore but the rest of the group needed assistance to get back to land.

'It was decided to take the group off their kayaks and bring them onto the lifeboat before bringing them the short distance to Reen Pier.  The 15 people were helped onboard the Atlantic 85 lifeboat while their kayaks were towed back to shore.'

Commenting on the callout Union Hall RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager John Kelleher said: ‘This was a large group for our inshore lifeboat to bring to safety and our volunteer crew did well in ensuring that everyone was taken onboard quickly and safely. The weather conditions were challenging for the lifeboat crew to get from their base in Union Hall over to Castlehaven but thankfully conditions on scene were much calmer.’

‘With the call for help coming in quite early and the lifeboat crew on scene quickly we were able to get the situation under control in a short time with everyone accounted for and safely brought ashore.’