Courtmacsherry RNLI in call out to kite surfer in difficulties off Coolmain
As Storm Denis toned down around the south coast, the Courtmacsherry RNLI all-weather Trent Class lifeboat Frederick Storey Cockburn was called out at 3.30pm yesterday afternoon (Monday) to go to the aid of a kite surfer that had got into difficulties off Coolmain Strand and required assistance.
Under Coxswain Mark Gannon and a crew of six, the lifeboat crew was underway very quickly and immediately made its way to the area of the casualty.
The station's inshore lifeboat was launched as well with two onboard under Helmsman Kevin Young. The distress alarm was raised by people on the shoreline who saw the events unfolding.
Both of the station's lifeboats were quickly on the scene of the casualty, who had now managed to make his way to the rocky shoreline after abandoning their kite board. Thankfully the kite surfer was uninjured and was able to make his way to the safe surrounds of Coolmain Beach.
Commenting on the call out, Diarmuid O'Mahony, Courtmacsherry RNLI Deputy Launching Authority praised the people on shore for quickly alerting the rescue services: 'Vital minutes today could have been so important in sea conditions that were lumpy and windy after a very stormy weekend'.
Diarmuid was also high in praise of all the volunteer crew who responded so quickly to the lifeboat station and immediately launched both the all-weather lifeboat and the station’s inshore rib.
The crew onboard were Coxswain Mark Gannon, mechanic Stuart Russell and crew members Kevin Young, Ken Cashman, Dara Gannon, Dave Philips and Jim O'Donnell.
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