Visitors come to aid of ‘grateful’ kayaker who got into difficulty

Visitors come to aid of ‘grateful’ kayaker who got into difficulty

16 July 2025

TWO special visitors to the annual Narrows Regatta Series were involved in a rescue mission on Strangford Lough on Sunday afternoon.

Portaferry councillor Joe Boyle and Vicky Moore, Deputy Mayor of Ards and North Down Borough Council, went to the aid of a kayaker who got into difficulties.

They were on the water as guests of the organisers in a 30-foot RIB driven by Killyleagh man Ralph Carson, who was accompanied by local photographer Tommy Brown.

Mr Boyle said: “We had left Portaferry approximately 2.15pm and were well up the lough on our trip when Ralph received a call that someone was in the water and could we go and see what assistance we could give.

“At this stage Ralph demonstrated the performance of the 30ft RIB as we made our way to the identified position.

“We met up with two kayaks with one person in the water, who thankfully was wearing a lifejacket. Ralph steered his RIB alongside the kayaks whilst Tommy and I eventually pulled the person from the water and on to Ralph’s RIB.

“The person was truly grateful at having been rescued. He had hurt his shoulder and couldn’t get out of the water without being rescued.

“He was very cold, very worried, clearly concerned and extremely grateful as we brought him ashore into Killyleagh.”

Mr Boyle continued: “Ralph had previously explained all the navigational equipment on board to me during our outing and to see it being used for the rescue was quite impressive.

“I quickly realised that there is obviously an excellent structure in place with rescue boats and everyone looking out for each other.”

Mr Boyle paid tribute to Ralph and Tommy, as well as Killyleagh man Sam Bennett, who raised the alarm and contacted his friend, Jim Lindsay, who was on the lough.

“Full credit goes to Ralph and Tommy, two gentlemen who clearly have plenty of experience on the lough and who knew exactly what they were doing, I was only there to do what I told.”

He added: “It was a perfect ending to an excellent four days of sailing. Congratulations to Portaferry and Strangford Sailing Clubs. Both the Deputy Mayor and I were very impressed and we even got to see the dolphins on a day that had everything, above all a good outcome for everyone.”