Three kayakers have been treated for hypothermia after a rescue operation was launched near Newtown Cove earlier this afternoon.
Tramore Lifeboat were at sea conducting assessment exercises with crews when they were tasked by MMRC to assist three kayakers in difficulty.
The alarm was raised at 12.36pm and the boat was on scene within two minutes at 12.38pm.
Upon arrival at the scene, crews learned that the men involved were part of a crew of five who were venturing south of Newtown Cove toward Newtown Head.
Three of the men were at the scene, and one of the men had entered the water.
All three individuals were brought to safety by the lifeboat, which had left the scene by 12.44pm - bringing the party back to the Boathouse at Tramore Pier.
Two of the men were treated on site for mild hypothermia, while one of the men was transferred to University Hospital Waterford.
A spokesperson for Tramore Lifeboat says all of those involved are expected to make a full recovery.
Paul Tuohy highlighted that strong offshore winds are likely to have contributed to the difficulty encountered by the group - none of whom were wearing wetsuits.
"They were on sit on, sit in type kayaks and had no wetsuits on - so when the man entered the water, it wouldn't have taken long for the hypothermia to kick in."
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