Courtmacsherry RNLI rescue surfer in difficulty off Garrylucas Beach
Courtmacsherry RNLI was called out at 11.33am this morning (Monday 5 September) by the Irish Coast Guard Marine Co-Ordinating Centre in Valentia, to go to the immediate aid of a person that had got into difficulty while surfing in strong winds off Garrylucas Beach.
The all-weather lifeboat under Coxswain Mark Gannon and a crew of six was underway quickly and proceeded in very rough seas towards the coastline off Garrylucas.
The 999 call for help was made by the partner of the person in trouble as she saw that he had lost control in windy conditions and was in immediate danger.
The Old Head / Seven Heads Coast Guard unit was also tasked and maintained cover on the shoreline and the nearby rocks.
The lifeboat arrived off Garrylucas just after 11.55am and by then the person in the sea had thankfully managed to swim to the safety of the rocks between Garrylucas and Garretstown strand and got ashore in very poor and gusty conditions.
He was met and assessed on the shoreline by members of the Old Head / Seven Heads Coast Guard team. Once it was confirmed that there was nobody else in trouble, the lifeboat was stood down and returned to base in Courtmacsherry. Conditions at sea today were extremely difficult with a very strong south east Force 7/8 blowing with a huge swell.
The crew on board the lifeboat today were Coxswain Mark Gannon, mechanic Stuart Russell, Dave Philips, Tadgh McCarthy, Enda Boyle, Evin O Sullivan and Conor Tyndall.
Speaking following the call out, Vincent O'Donovan, Courtmacsherry RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer said: 'It was great to see 15 crewmembers assemble quickly on a Monday morning to help others in danger on the sea which was raging today. This is our 21 call out in what has been a very busy year so far for our station in Courtmacsherry.'
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