Two windsurfers rescued in Baltimore Harbour

TWO windsurfers were rescued earlier today at different locations in Baltimore Harbour.

The Baltimore RNLI inshore lifeboat was launched at 2.01pm after a member of the public alerted the Irish Coast Guard that a windsurfer was being blown against the shoreline of Reengarogy in Baltimore Harbour.

The lifeboat with four volunteer crew aboard – Helm Kieran Collins and crew members Micheal Cottrell, David Ryan and Ian Lynch – arrived on scene at 2.03pm to find the casualty in the water, swimming hard to keep clear of the rocks. The casualty was brought aboard the lifeboat, along with his board, and once satisfied that he was unharmed the crew took him back to the beach in Baltimore he had originally set out from.

Assisting at the boathouse were Jerry Smith, Cathal Cottrell and Ryan O’Mahony. Also in attendance was Pat Collins.

Whilst the inshore lifeboat crew were dealing with their casualty on the shoreline, instructors from Baltimore Sailing Club went to the assistance of another windsurfer who was in difficulty in the middle of the harbour and brought them safely to shore. Conditions at the time of the call were blustery with a south-westerly force 5 wind and sloppy sea.

Speaking following the call out, Kate Callanan, Baltimore RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer said:

''This was a particularly fast response as the inshore lifeboat was on scene with the casualty within 7 minutes of the lifeboat pagers going off. Thankfully a member of the public had spotted the danger that the windsurfer was in and did the correct thing in alerting the Coast Guard. If you see anyone that you think is in difficulty on the water or along the coast, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard."