The Portaferry RNLI team has rescued three kayakers amidst worsening conditions on Strangford Lough The volunteer lifeboat crew at Portaferry RNLI launched  yesterday on Thursday 12 November to the aid of three adult men in kayaks on Strangford Lough.
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Three kayakers were rescued by the Portaferry RNLI in Strangford Lough.[/caption]
The Portaferry lifeboat, an Inshore Atlantic 85, launched at 12.38pm having received a launch request from the Coastguard concerning the three men who found themselves in some difficulty during their trip on the Lough.
Brian Bailie, Lifeboat Operations Manager for the Portaferry RNLI Station, commented: “The hard work and dedication of our volunteers has once again resulted in the safe return to shore of three men who had got into some difficulty at sea. “In what were very tricky weather conditions, the three men had acted promptly and correctly when they realised that they were in trouble. “Once again we are all delighted with the outcome and urge anyone considering going on the water at this time of year to take all necessary precautions. “Further information on safety on the water can be found on our website”.One of the men had lost his paddle, and subsequently ended up in the water. At the time, there was a near gale force seven south south west wind with rough sea conditions and fair visibility. The volunteer crew were on scene north east of Limestone Rock in Strangford Lough, County Down, at 12.46pm where three men had formed a ‘raft’ with their three kayaks while waiting for the RNLI lifeboat to arrive. The volunteer crew came alongside the three men and started to load them and their kayaks into the RNLI lifeboat. Once they had secured the men and their equipment, the crew then headed for the pontoons at Strangford village in County Down, where they put the three men safely ashore with their kayaks before returning to the Portaferry RNLI Station at 1.15pm.
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