‘Keep your lilo for the swimming pool.’ – that’s the message from rescue workers after fifteen people found themselves at the centre of call-outs yesterday, in stormy conditions at sea. 

In Cork, three people using a motorboat and a jet ski got into difficulty when their boat overturned and got blown against rocks at the Seven Heads peninsula. 

In a separate incident, Crosshaven Lifeboat was launched after the public raised the alarm after spotting three people at sea in a supermarket-type inflatable dingy. 

In Dublin, Howth Coast Guard and Dollymount Lifeguards were called out when a group of kayakers got pulled out to sea at Red Rock in Sutton. 

Fergus Cooney is Press Officer for the Irish Coast Guard in Howth – he says anyone heading to sea should be aware of weather conditions and their personal safety: “There’s certain types of crafts, like inflatable that are not really suited to the coast.

“It is great for the swimming pools but it is not something we recommend people bring down to the shores or around the coast.

“Really, the main thing is if you are going out on a suitable craft to have your information ready and have your weather checked before hand.

“So you know if it is suitable or not to go out, so you know you can ring the coastguard, you can talk to the lifeguard and they will be able to give you local advice.”