Up to 40 people had to be rescued from Northern Ireland's Strangford Lough yesterday after high waves and strong winds forced them to abandon a kayak race.
The lifeboat at Portaferry, Co Down - near the mouth of the lough - was launched and rescued several of the group from the chilly water.
The kayakers were on a journey from Portaferry to the Newtownards Sailing Club at the head of the lough when the got into distress because of adverse weather conditions.
A coastguard helicopter carried out an area sweep of the lough to see all members of the group had been accounted for.
Coastguards said lives could have been lost. Liam Cahoon said: "The lough had a north westerly wind of Force Six or Seven. Force Seven is like 35 knots which is just short of gale force."
Waves were several feet high, he said. "The potential for fatalities was very real — more and more were capsizing into the water as the conditions worsened."
Meanwhile waves more than 13 metres high were recorded off the west coast of Ireland.
Fishing vessels, surfers and anglers - as well as people walking along beaches - were warned to be vigilant.
The Marine Institute said the entire west coast of the country, from Cork to Donegal was under threat from the waves.