Kitesurfer Rescued in Courtmacsherry

The Courtmacsherry all weather Trent Class RNLI Lifeboat Frederick Stormy Cockburn was called out just after mid-day today Saturday to go to the aid of a kitesurfer who had got into difficulties off Harbour View in Courtmacsherry Bay.

Under Coxswain Micheal O Donovan and a crew of six the Lifeboat was underway within minutes. The distress alarm was raised by observers on the shore who saw the person in difficulty offshore with his kite and immediately contacted the rescue services.

The Lifeboat located the casualty within 15 minutes and took the person from the water and into the safe surrounds of the Lifeboat. The kite surfer was very relieved to be rescued and has now been assessed and brought safely ashore.
The conditions at sea today were windy with a good strong swell in this area which is very popular with wind and kite surfers.

It was a fast callout today and the Courtmacsherry Lifeboat Station DLA Dermot O Mahony praised the crew for assembling so quickly this morning and commented that it was good that persons on shore acted rapidly in alerting the rescue services when they observed what was happening, as every minute is important in these situations.

The crew on today's Callout were Coxswain Micheal O Donovan, Mechanic Stuart Russell and crew Kevin Young, Dave Philips, Austin McKenna, Conor Dullea and Dean Hennessey.

The Lifeboat has now refuelled and returning to its mooring in the harbour, in readiness of when the next callout may come.