Lifeboat crew with Fethard RNLI in Wexford launched yesterday afternoon to assist a kite surfer who had got into difficulty off Duncannon beach in Wexford. The alarm was raised shortly after 2pm when the man could not safely return to shore and was in danger of drifting out to sea.
Fethard RNLI operates an inshore lifeboat which can be launched from multiple locations by Land Rover. For this callout the lifeboat crew travelled from the station to Duncannon and launched to reach the casualty as quickly as possible.
Deputy Launching Authority Hugh Burke also travelled to the location to spot the kite surfer from the beach and keep in contact with the Coast Guard. The casualty was sighted a kilometre away from the beach where he had rolled up his lines and folded the kite down, using it as a sail to guide him inland.
The kite surfer was blown onto shore at Glen Bay, a short distance away and was awaiting help. However with high cliffs making communication with the lifeboat difficult and an obstructed view with the casualty’s clothing blending into the background it was impossible to guide the lifeboat to his exact location. The casualty worried that he had been missed by the lifeboat and the Coast Guard helicopter, which was also on scene and started to make his way inland through fields, leaving his gear behind him on the beach.
The lifeboat crew came upon his equipment a short time later, immediately recovered it on board and continued to search, unaware that the casualty had continued on foot overland.
Fearing the worst Hugh and the two members of the RNLI shore crew took the RNLI launching vehicle and proceeded to the spot where they had observed the man being blown in, to see if they could locate him. A short time later they met him making his way back to Duncannon over land. He was immediately taken into the vehicle where he showed no signs of injury and was brought to be reunited with his relieved family at Duncannon pier.
Commenting on the callout Fethard RNLI Deputy Launching Authority Hugh Burke said, ‘It wasn’t your usual type of callout for the lifeboat crew. I think it was the first time the launching vehicle and not the lifeboat brought someone to safety. However we are delighted that the man was found safe and sound. The lifeboat crew feared the worst when they came across his equipment and found no sign of him.
He did the right thing when he realised he was in trouble and made sure he folded up his gear so that he wouldn’t be blown out to sea and tried to steer inland. Conditions were not great with rain, low cloud and a south-easterly wind of force three to four so we are relived it had a good outcome.’
Lifeboat crew on the callout were Helm Rory O’Connor with Cathal O’Connell and Nicolette Perrella and Shore Crew Mark Brenna and Jack Butler