Kirkcudbright Lifeboat called out just after Storm Betty left the area.
Despite Storm Betty having just passed over, Kirkcudbright RNLI lifeboat 'Sheila Stenhouse' was faced with very rough conditions when she was called out today around mid-day, Saturday 19 August, 2023.
A bodyboarder had got into difficulties and was stranded on rocks near Mossyard, Gatehouse of Fleet. Due to the wild sea conditions it took the Atlantic 85 lifeboat almost an hour to reach the casualty.
When the lifeboat arrived, they were able to establish that the casualty was not hurt although lying on the rocks. At this point, it was decided that as HM Coastguard Helicopter Rescue 936 had been sent to assist and was only 10 minutes away it was safer to wait for them. This avoided the lifeboat having to perform a very difficult manoeuvre to evacuate the casualty. Using hand signals the lifeboat crew were able to convey to the casualty that the helicopter was on its way and they would remain on standby until they were safely recovered.
A few minutes later the helicopter arrived and lifted the bodyboarder from the rocks and landed the person back on the beach.
Kirkcudbright RNLI lifeboat then returned to the boathouse to be re-fuelled ready for the next task.
Martin Valentine who helmed the lifeboat on this shout said: 'Despite the very rough conditions, the Atlantic 85 and the volunteer crew performed very well'.
This rescue was a great example of HM Coastguard Helicopter Rescue and the RNLI working together.
Find out more at RNLI.org/safety.
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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 142,700 lives.
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