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04/09/2008
Teen Sea Rescue Is Only Latest Drama
A rescue that saw four teenagers plucked from a cold Irish Sea last night was only the most recent of such incidences.
The four youngsters had to be rescued after their dinghies drifted out to sea while on a fishing expedition off the Co Down coast.
The alarm was raised at 10.20pm last night (Wednesday) when a passer-by spotted the boys who were in difficulty off Skullmartin Perch near Ballywalter.
Soon afterwards, the Donaghadee lifeboat and a rescue helicopter were launched and the boys were quickly brought to safety.
The four boys had taken the boats to go fishing, but only had one small oar and an inoperable engine between the two vessels.
The dramatic events echo those of a few months ago when, in July, three children had to be rescued from a canoe which drifted a mile-and-a-half out to sea off the coast of Donegal.
At that time, the alarm was raised by their parents near Buncrana and the RNLI had to speed to the scene.
Joe Joyce, from the RNLI in Lough Swilly, said the children were "a bit frightened when they were rescued".
"They couldn't steer the boat and it started taking them further and further from shore."
Mr Joyce added: "We administered some basic first aid - we wrapped them in thermal blankets - and brought them back to the shore to their parents."
Also, back in January, a Co Armagh man was recognised for a courageous sea rescue.
Philip McAvoy (44), from Portadown, plunged into the cold Atlantic to help rescue a drowning man.
He is said to have battled large swells and strong currents to help drag the man to safety after he fell from Creevy Pier in Donegal in August 2006.
Philip received a Royal Humane Society Award earlier this week for his actions, along with Sarah Meehan, a nurse from Ballyshannon who also helped in the rescue.
See: Sea Rescue Bravery Recognised
(BMcC/KMcA)
The four youngsters had to be rescued after their dinghies drifted out to sea while on a fishing expedition off the Co Down coast.
The alarm was raised at 10.20pm last night (Wednesday) when a passer-by spotted the boys who were in difficulty off Skullmartin Perch near Ballywalter.
Soon afterwards, the Donaghadee lifeboat and a rescue helicopter were launched and the boys were quickly brought to safety.
The four boys had taken the boats to go fishing, but only had one small oar and an inoperable engine between the two vessels.
The dramatic events echo those of a few months ago when, in July, three children had to be rescued from a canoe which drifted a mile-and-a-half out to sea off the coast of Donegal.
At that time, the alarm was raised by their parents near Buncrana and the RNLI had to speed to the scene.
Joe Joyce, from the RNLI in Lough Swilly, said the children were "a bit frightened when they were rescued".
"They couldn't steer the boat and it started taking them further and further from shore."
Mr Joyce added: "We administered some basic first aid - we wrapped them in thermal blankets - and brought them back to the shore to their parents."
Also, back in January, a Co Armagh man was recognised for a courageous sea rescue.
Philip McAvoy (44), from Portadown, plunged into the cold Atlantic to help rescue a drowning man.
He is said to have battled large swells and strong currents to help drag the man to safety after he fell from Creevy Pier in Donegal in August 2006.
Philip received a Royal Humane Society Award earlier this week for his actions, along with Sarah Meehan, a nurse from Ballyshannon who also helped in the rescue.
See: Sea Rescue Bravery Recognised
(BMcC/KMcA)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A chilly start with a widespread frost and some freezing fog, any freezing fog slow to clear. Otherwise bright with sunny spells and coastal showers. Light winds. Maximum temperature 6 °C.Tonight:Coastal showers dying out with a widespread frost developing along with freezing fog, which could become extensive. Winds remaining light. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
