Skerries RNLI rescue kitesurfing father and son
Skerries RNLI rescued two men, a father and son, who had gotten into difficulty in the water while kitesurfing yesterday afternoon (Friday 3 November)
The Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat “Louis Simson” was launched by the volunteers in Skerries shortly before 4.30pm, following an emergency call to Dublin Coast Guard from a member of the public reporting that several kite surfers appeared unable to return to shore off the south beach in Skerries.
The lifeboat rounded the headland of Red Island and almost immediately the crew spotted two men in the water holding on to a kitesurfing board. The two were helped aboard the lifeboat, where the volunteers took steps to protect them from the elements and assessed their condition. With both men showing early signs of hypothermia, an ambulance was requested to meet the lifeboat back at the boathouse.
Following an assessment by paramedics, one of the men was transferred to hospital for further monitoring and treatment.
Conditions at the time were force four to five westerly wind with a slight sea swell and good visibility albeit with fading light.
Speaking about the call out, volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for Skerries RNLI, Gerry Canning said: ‘When you get a call to say that someone is in difficulty and they are already in the water, every second counts. One of the men commented that he was incredibly relieved to see a big orange boat appear on the horizon as he didn’t think they had much strength left. Well done to the people that raised the alarm. It just goes to show, if you see someone in trouble on the water, dial 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard, it can make all the difference.’
RNLI media contacts
For more information please telephone Gerry Canning, Skerries RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 087 988 4965 or email [email protected] or Nuala McAloon, RNLI Ireland Media Officer on 087 648 3547 or email [email protected] or Niamh Stephenson, RNLI Ireland Media Manager on 087 1254 124 or [email protected]
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 142,700 lives.
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