FOUR MEN in their 20s had a lucky escape when their inflatable dinghy capsized off the coast of Dublin yesterday afternoon.
They got into trouble in freshening winds off Shanganagh cliffs between Killiney and Bray at about 2pm and were 150 metres from shore when they were rescued.
One person swam to shore to raise the alarm, two clung to a buoy while another was reported missing and was later found floating in the water.
The RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat and inshore lifeboat both launched at 2.08pm and proceeded to the scene, arriving 15 minutes later.
The two clinging to the buoy were rescued by the inshore lifeboat.
The third manin the water was rescued by the Irish Coast Guard rescue helicopter. They were all taken to Tallaght hospital by helicopter suffering from hypothermia and shock.
Those involved in the rescue said they were at sea in an inflatable dinghy from a discount store that was totally unsuitable for the conditions.
There was a stiff force four to five wind blowing at the time. Luckily, all four had personal flotation devices similar to life jackets.
David Branigan, a spokesman for the Dún Laoghaire RNLI volunteer lifeboat, said the incident reinforced the need for people to be mindful of the type of craft they are taking to sea.
“The main thing is that nobody has died today. Luckily one of them was a strong swimmer who could swim ashore and luckily the person on the shore had a mobile phone,” he said.
“We could have been dealing with a different outcome if they were further out to sea.”
