Crosshaven RNLI launch to dinghy blown out to sea
Crosshaven RNLI lifeboat was launched this afternoon (Sunday 7 August) after a member of the public alerted the Coast Guard to an inflatable dinghy with three people on board being blown out to sea.
The lifeboat launched at 2.52pm and made their way to Ringabella Bay arriving on scene at 3.10pm. No sighting of the dinghy initially was made, but the crew noticed an inflatable dinghy on the shore at Ringabella beach. A lifeboat crew member swam ashore and talked to the owners who confirmed they were the three people that had left Fountainstown. As they were now ashore and safe all units were stood down.
The occupants were wearing swim gear apart from one who had a wetsuit and a bouyancy aid. The wind offshore was blowing force 5 to 6 although calmer within the bay. Crosshaven Coast Guard imparted safety information to the people involved.
Commenting on the service call, Patsy Fegan, Crosshaven RNLI Lifeboat Operations manager said 'The use of inflatables and lilo's should only be used in the confines of a swimming pool. Luckily these people came to no harm, but with a force 5 wind they could have drifted well offshore”.'
As well as Crosshaven lifeboat, other agencies involved were Rescue 117 helicopter from Waterford, The Naval vessel, LE Niamh which acted as a Radio Relay to the Coast Guard and the Crosshaven Coast Guard boat.
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For further information please contact Jon Mathers Crosshaven RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer
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The RNLI charity 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 146,000 lives.
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