Rosslare Harbour RNLI all-weather lifeboat was launched this afternoon (1 January) at 1.15pm to go to the assistance of a surfer caught in a dangerous rip current.
Two surfers had got caught in the rip current off Curracloe beach in Wexford. One of the surfers managed to get back to the beach where she quickly raised the alarm. With a strong south westerly force six to seven wind, the stranded surfer was soon a mile off shore.
Launched in minutes, the Rosslare Harbour lifeboat was joined on scene by Rescue 117, who located the lone surfer from the air and directed the lifeboat crew to the young man.
RNLI volunteer crew lifted the surfer to safety on board the lifeboat and provided warm and dry clothing for him on the return to the lifeboat station. He was met there by ambulance personnel who provided additional care.
Speaking after the incident Rosslare Harbour RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer Jamie Ryan said, ‘It is wonderful to start the year with a successful rescue and thanks to the quick action of the surfer who made it safety ashore, we were on scene with the Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 117 in minutes and were able to bring the young man to safety.’