
Fethard RNLI launch to female paddle boarder in Bannow Bay
Volunteer lifeboat crew at Fethard RNLI were requested by the Coast Guard to launch their inshore lifeboat at 4.25pm on Friday evening (26 July) following a report that a woman was drifting on a paddle board in the direction of Bannow Bay.
There was a force 4 offshore south-westerly wind and moderate sea conditions. Friends and family members raised the alarm from Baginbun Beach when they observed the person onboard the paddle board in difficulty. The lifeboat, helmed by Mick Roche, with crew members John Colfer and Cathal O’Connell onboard, launched at Fethard Harbour and made its way towards Bannow. Irish Coast Guard Helicopter Rescue 117 located the female and hovered over to pinpoint her location. The lifeboat crew quickly made their way to her location, brought her on board, and returned her to her family on Baginbun Beach.
Speaking after the call out, Fethard RNLI Helm Mick Roche said: ‘The paddle boarder did everything right on the day. She worn a floatation device, stayed with her board when she got into difficulty and had told family and friends her plans. All of this led to a successful rescue.’
'We would remind everyone visiting the coast in the fine weather that If you do get into difficulty or see somebody in trouble on the water or along the coast, dial 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.’
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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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