Bundoran RNLI assist two paddleboarders
The volunteer crew of Bundoran RNLI was requested to launch on Tuesday evening to reports of two paddleboarders being blown out to sea off Mermaid’s Cove in County Sligo.
The 999 call was made to Malin Head Coast Guard just after 6pm who immediately paged the Bundoran RNLI volunteers. At 6.11pm, the Bundoran Lifeboat “William Henry Liddington” set off for the scene with 4 crew on board and made their way to Mermaid’s Cove, arriving less than ten minutes later. The Sligo based Rescue 118 helicopter was also tasked.
On arrival two lifeboat crew assisted the two paddleboarders back to the shore who were then assessed by the on board casualty carer.
On return to the station helm Brian Gillespie said ‘we were glad to be able to bring the paddleboarders back to safety and the person on the shore called 999 when they did. We would always remind people that if they see anyone in trouble on the coast to call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard and for paddleboarders to be mindful of offshore winds which can catch people out very easily.’
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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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