Howth RNLI rescued a man who got into difficulty on a jet ski this afternoon and ended up in the water east of Ireland’s Eye.
The volunteer lifeboat crew was requested to launch both their inshore and all-weather lifeboats at 3.35pm following reports that a man was missing in the sea after his jet ski developed engine difficulties.
The alarm had been raised by a companion of the casualty’s who had come ashore on his own jet ski.
The two men had left Howth harbour earlier in the day before one of their jet skis encountered problems.
The lifeboats quickly travelled to the reported area between Balscadden and Ireland’s Eye and commenced a search.
Weather conditions at the time were described as good with clear visibility. However, the sea was quite rough with strong easterly winds generating large breaking waves in the vicinity of Ireland’s Eye.
As Afloat.ie reported earlier, the Irish Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 116 was also tasked to the search. Using its onboard search equipment, the helicopter quickly located the casualty who had drifted quite a distance from his original location.
Following this communication from the Coast Guard helicopter, the all-weather lifeboat proceeded to the scene and rescued the casualty who was found clinging to the jet ski. He had been in the water for approximately 30 minutes. Once onboard the lifeboat, the crew began to administer casualty care to man who was extremely cold.
Arriving back at Howth Lifeboat Station, the man was transferred from the lifeboat into a waiting ambulance where he was treated for hypothermia.
The inshore lifeboat meanwhile took the stricken jet ski in tow and returned it to the safety of Howth Harbour.
Speaking following the call out, Colm Newport, Howth RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager said: ‘Time was of the essence this afternoon as the casualty was in the water for some time. Team work was at the centre of this call out and with thanks to our colleagues in the Irish Coast Guard who located the casualty once onscene, we were able to rescue the man and bring him ashore. We would like to wish both him and his companion well following their ordeal.’
