Courtmacsherry RNLI rescue kite surfer off Harbour View in Courtmacsherry Bay
Courtmacsherry RNLI's all-weather Trent class lifeboat Frederick Stormy Cockburn was called out just after mid-day today Saturday (22 June) to go to the aid of a kitesurfer who had got into difficulties off Harbour View in Courtmacsherry Bay.
Under Coxswain Micheal O'Donovan and a crew of six, the lifeboat was underway within minutes. The distress alarm was raised by observers on the shore who saw the person in difficulty offshore with his kite and immediately contacted the rescue services.
The lifeboat crew located the casualty within 15 minutes and took the person from the water and into the safe surrounds of the lifeboat. The kite surfer was very relieved to be rescued and was assessed and brought safely ashore.
The conditions at sea today were windy with a good strong swell in this area which is popular with wind and kite surfers.
Speaking following the call out, Dermot O'Mahony, Courtmacsherry RNLI Deputy Launching Authority said: 'It was a fast call out today and I would like to praise the crew for assembling so quickly this morning. We would also like to commend the people on the shore who acted rapidly in alerting the rescue services when they observed what was happening, as every minute is important in these situations'.
The crew on today's call out were Coxswain Micheal O'Donovan, mechanic Stuart Russell and crew Kevin Young, Dave Philips, Austin McKenna, Conor Dullea and Dean Hennessey.
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