Bangor RNLI in rescue of swimmer who gets into difficulty off Groomsport Beach

The volunteer crew were requested by Belfast Coastguard to launch their inshore Atlantic 85 class lifeboat shortly after 7am. A member of the public who spotted the swimmer in difficulty, raised the alarm.

The lifeboat helmed by Pete Semple and with crew members Gavin Mitchell, Andrew Gedge and Jonny Gedge onboard, launched immediately and made its way to the scene.

There was a north easterly Force 4 wind at the time making for large breaking waves and a big swell.

Bangor Coastguard’s shore unit was also tasked and arrived on scene first. As the lifeboat approached the scene, Bangor Coastguard requested assistance towards the shore due to the hazardous position of the casualty at the back of Groomsport Harbour’s wall.

The lifeboat crew assessed the situation and given the large swell and bouldery sea floor, decided that with time being of the essence, the best course of action was to put crew member Gavin Mitchell into the water to swim to and assist the Coastguard shore crew member who had begun to make their way down from the harbour wall and into the water to reach the casualty.

Amid the large breaking waves, the swimmer was observed to be stuck fast between a large boulder and the sea wall and was showing signs of extreme cold, exhaustion and weakness.

In the water, both Gavin and the Bangor Coastguard crew member worked as a team in challenging conditions to discuss the safest means of extraction before deciding on a

using a rescue sled to bring the casualty from the back of the wall to the beach. This task proved challenging given the large boulders and breaking waves and required the help of the wider Bangor Coastguard shore team on scene.

Once safely ashore, casualty care was administered before the swimmer was transferred into the care of the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service.

Speaking following the call out, Bangor RNLI crew member Gavin Mitchell said: ‘We want to wish the swimmer a speedy recovery following their ordeal this morning. This was a challenging call out given the location of the casualty, the breaking waves and the casualty’s condition at the time. We want to commend the member of public who raised the alarm as time was certainly of the essence and we want to thank our colleagues particularly those in Bangor Coastguard for their efforts - the teamwork from decision making to extraction was important under pressure and well executed. This was a fine example of multi-agency collaboration.’

‘As we head into the summer months, we would encourage anyone planning a dip or swim to, where possible, not go alone, always carry a means of communication such as a mobile phone in a waterproof pouch, wear a bright coloured cap and should you get into difficulty, know how to float. Tilt your head back with ears submerged, relax and try to control your breathing, use your hands to help you stay afloat - It's okay if your legs sink, we all float differently. Once you can control your breathing, call for help or raise a hand. Should you see someone in difficulty, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.’

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The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,700 lives.

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