Courtown RNLI launch twice in the one day rescuing father and son paddleboarders

A member of the public spotted two paddleboarders clinging to a buoy in strong offshore winds just off Ardamine beach and called 112/999 to alert the Coast Guard.

Courtown RNLI Inshore Lifeboat Frank, with a crew of three volunteers launched at 1.00pm in gusty offshore conditions and were quickly on the scene where they located the father and son paddleboarders clinging to a buoy and feeling cold and exhausted. The volunteer lifeboat crew took the two on board the lifeboat and transported them and their boards to shore where relieved family members were waiting.

The paddleboarders were part of a family group visiting from Spain and thanked Courtown RNLI volunteers for responding so quickly.

Courtown Lifeboat helm Yvette Deacon said ‘They were lucky to come across the buoy. The wind was blowing them out to sea very quickly. Before going on the water, always check the weather, make sure you have the correct equipment and always call 112/999 as soon as possible and ask for the Coast Guard if you think somebody is in trouble.’

Courtown RNLI Inshore Lifeboat returned to station at 2.00pm where the volunteer crew washed the lifeboat down ready for the next rescue.

Later the same day Courtown RNLI Lifeboat with a different crew of three volunteers launched following another call to the Coast Guard. A member of the public spotted a large Inflatable Towable being blown out to sea very rapidly. It was unclear if there were any people on the inflatable.

Courtown RNLI Inshore Lifeboat Frank, launched at 6.30pm and was quickly on scene where it was established that there was nobody on board the inflatable. It appeared to have been blown off Ardamine beach and was quickly blown out to sea in the strong and gusty offshore wind. They took the inflatable under tow and returned to the harbour at 7.00pm.

Courtown Lifeboat helm Brian McEvoy said ‘You have to be very careful with inflatables in offshore winds, you can be blown out to sea much more quickly than you think. The member of the public did the right thing, if in doubt call 112/999 and ask for the Coast Guard. If there had been anyone on board the inflatable, getting to it as quickly as possible makes all the difference.’

The volunteer crew washed the lifeboat down again and prepared her for the next rescue.

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI is the charity that 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 146,700 lives.

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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.