Howth RNLI rescue kitesurfer after getting in difficulty off Portmarnock Beach
Howth RNLI launched their Inshore Lifeboat today (Sunday 29 December) to multiple reports of a kitesurfer in difficulty in the water just off the beach in Portmarnock.
The RNLI pagers sounded at 11.40am after multiple calls to the Coast Guard from concerned members of the public who spotted a Kitesurfer having difficulties in the waters just off Portmarnock beach.
Howth RNLI volunteer crew members launched the Inshore Lifeboat within twelve minutes of getting the call and proceeded to the area. There they quickly located the casualty 200 metres off the beach. Howth Coast Guard were also tasked ashore at Portmarnock Beach.
The casualty was taken aboard the lifeboat and checked over. They were in good spirits, unharmed by the incident and returned safely to shore.
The wind was Force 5 and the sea state was rough at the time.
Speaking following the call out, Colm Newport, Howth RNLI LOM said: ‘We were delighted to assist the kitesurfer after they found themselves in difficulty. The members of the public on the beach had quickly radioed for assistance which was the correct thing to do and we were able to launch and bring the kitesurfer to safety.’
ENDS
Notes to editors
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Howth RNLI lifeboat station has been operating since 1862.
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(Howth Lifeboat station was established prior to 1825 and was taken over by the Institution in 1862 from the Dublin Ballast Board) To learn more about the lifeboat station go to http://rnli.org/findmynearest/station/Pages/Howth-Lifeboat-Station.aspx
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RNLI media contacts
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For more information please telephone Noel Davidson, Howth RNLI Lifeboat Station volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 086 2599531 or [email protected] or Nuala McAloon, Regional Media Officer on 0876483547 or [email protected] or Niamh Stephenson, Regional Media Manager on 0871254124 or [email protected]
Key facts about the RNLI
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.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.
Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.