RNLI assist windsurfer

Emergency rescue services were called out this week to assist a windsurfer who had got into difficulty in Baltimore Harbour.

Baltimore RNLI launched their inshore lifeboat at 6.30pm on Monday evening following a request from the Irish Coast Guard.

The windsurfer had initially been spotted by members of the public who then contacted the Coast Guard. The volunteer lifeboat crew reached the man at 6.32pm to find him already paddling his own way back to Sherkin Island.

The lifeboat then escorted the windsurfer until he had safely reached the pier on Sherkin Island at 6.45pm.

Speaking following the call out, Kate Callanan, Baltimore RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer said: “We would like to commend the members of the public who raised the alarm today when they felt the windsurfer was in difficulty.

If you see someone who appears to require assistance whilst at sea, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.”

There were four volunteer crew onboard the lifeboat for Monday’s callout, Helm Micheál Cottrell and crew members David Ryan, Ian Lynch and James Kitt.

Assisting at the boathouse were Jerry and Rianne Smith.

Conditions in the harbour during the call were calm with a south westerly force two wind and no sea swell.