Donate now

Dun Laoghaire RNLI rescues Kite Surfer off Dollymount Strand

Lifeboats News Release

Dun Laoghaire RNLI rescued a kite surfer who had drifted offshore and become entangled in the lines of the kite. The rescue occurred off Dollymount Strand, one mile north-east of Bull Island this afternoon (Sunday 1 January).

The volunteer lifeboat crew were requested by the Irish Coast Guard to assist in the rescue of the young man in his early 20s, the call coming in from his parents, who had been tasked with keeping an eye on his progress from ashore.

The crew were alerted by RNLI pager at 1.43pm, launched within five minutes, and made best speed arriving on scene moments before 2pm. Two of the volunteer crew were in their homes, with the third working nearby when the emergency call came in.

The weather was fine, with a slight breeze and minimal swell.

Dun Laoghaire RNLI Helm Paul Cummins said: ‘the young man got into difficulty when the wind dropped and he drifted a mile offshore. In the process, he became entangled in the kite rigging.’

When the RNLI crew arrived, volunteers Ailbhe Smith, and James Traynor (who was also on his first callout since formally passing-out as a full lifeboat crew member), assessed the condition of the casualty and freed him from his rigging equipment, bringing him safely aboard the lifeboat. Within ten minutes he was returned to his parents ashore safe and well, and thankfully required no medical assistance.

‘We were delighted to see the kite surfer reunited with his parents. In this instance, all preparations were followed — the surfer wore a heavy winter wetsuit, had a buoyancy aid, and had a shore contact looking on,’ Paul added.

‘Anyone taking to the water at any time of the year should always check weather and tide times before venturing out and always carry a means of calling for help should you need to use it. Should you get into difficulty or see someone else in trouble, dial 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.’

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, Twitter 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.

Categories