Baltimore RNLI launched to windsurfer in difficulty in Baltimore harbour

The Baltimore inshore lifeboat launched at 2.01pm after a member of the public alerted the Irish Coast Guard that a windsurfer was being blown against the shoreline of Reengarogy in Baltimore Harbour.

The lifeboat with four volunteer crew aboard, Helm Kieran Collins and crew members Micheal Cottrell, David Ryan and Ian Lynch, arrived on scene at 2.03pm to find the casualty in the water, swimming hard to keep clear of the rocks. The casualty was brought aboard the lifeboat, along with his board, and once satisfied that he was unharmed the crew took him back to the beach in Baltimore he had originally set out from. The inshore lifeboat then returned to the boathouse at 2.20pm. Assisting at the boathouse were Jerry Smith, Cathal Cottrell and Ryan O’Mahony. Also in attendance was Pat Collins.

Whilst the inshore lifeboat crew were dealing with their casualty on the shoreline, instructors from Baltimore Sailing Club went to the assistance of another windsurfer who was in difficulty in the middle of the harbour and brought them safely to shore.

Conditions at the time of the call were blustery with a south-westerly force 5 wind and sloppy sea.

Speaking following the call out, Kate Callanan, Baltimore RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer said: ‘This was a particularly fast response as the inshore lifeboat was on scene with the casualty within 7 minutes of the lifeboat pagers going off. Thankfully a member of the public had spotted the danger that the windsurfer was in and did the correct thing in alerting the Coast Guard. If you see anyone that you think is in difficulty on the water or along the coast, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.’

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RNLI media contacts

For more information please telephone Kate Callanan, Baltimore RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 087 2906607 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.

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Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.