RNLI goes to aid of canoeists on Strangford Lough

RNLI goes to aid of canoeists on Strangford Lough

21 May 2014

PORTAFERRY RNLI rescued canoeists who got into difficulty on Strangford Lough at the weekend.

Volunteer lifeboat crew went to the rescue of 23 canoeists who got into difficulty near Ringhaddy on Saturday afternoon.

The RNLI vessel was launched just five minutes after the call for help was received at 2.40pm and the crew arrived at the scene at 2.55pm thanks to good visibility.

Volunteers reported a slight sea swell and force four southerly wind at the time.

The group of canoeists, which included 23 men and women, had run into difficulty in the area and six of the party had gone into the water.

The RNLI crew recovered two of the people from the water while a small motor boat, which had also come to the aid of the canoeists, took the other four on board.

The RNLI lifeboat crew took their two casualties and their canoes back to nearby Strangford Lough Yacht Club where the casualties were put ashore into the care of the Coastguard.

The lifeboat crew then returned to the scene to escort the remaining 17 members of the canoe party back to the safety of the yacht club.

Brian Bailie, Lifeboat operations manager for Portaferry RNLI, said the fact that everyone was brought safely to shore was testament to the training and dedication of the volunteer RNLI crew that a potentially tragic situation was averted.

“Strangford Lough is an extremely popular location for groups of canoeists and it is vital that they take all necessary precautions when taking to the water,” he said.