Dun Laoghaire RNLI comes to the aid of a kite surfer off Killiney Bay

The volunteer lifeboat crew was requested to launch their inshore lifeboat (ILB) at 6.27pm (Saturday July 14). A kitesurfer had got into difficulty off Killiney Bay and was spotted by passers-by who alerted the Coast Guard.

The weather conditions were light winds with good visibility.

The wind had dropped and the kitesurfer was drifting out to sea. He decided to abandon his kitesurf and swim to shore. Once on the scene, the lifeboat crew of three, checked that the kitesurfer was safe and uninjured. They also successfully recovered his kitesurf.

Commenting after the call out, Dun Laoghaire RNLI Helm Chris Watson, who is also a member of Dublin Fire Brigade and a paramedic said: ‘The casualty did the right thing by abandoning his kitesurf and swam to shore. It’s also important to tell someone where you are going and when you are due back.’

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For more information please contact Sarah Hipwell, Dun Laoghaire RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 0878078688, email [email protected] or Jessica Lamb, Dun Laoghaire RNLI Volunteer Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer on 0879427870, email [email protected].

Or contact Nuala McAloon RNLI Regional Media Officer Ireland on 00353876483547 or email [email protected] or Niamh Stephenson RNLI Regional Media Manager Ireland on 00353871254124 or [email protected]

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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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