Baltimore RNLI were called out to provide assistance to a windsurfer in difficulty in Baltimore harbour, West Cork yesterday evening (Monday, 25 October).
The volunteer lifeboat crew launched their inshore lifeboat at 6.30pm following a request from the Irish Coast Guard who had received a report from members of the public that a windsurfer appeared to be in difficulty in Baltimore harbour.
The Baltimore inshore lifeboat crew arrived at the casualty at 6.32 pm to find him already paddling his own way back to Sherkin Island. The casualty was happy to continue to make his own way back so Baltimore inshore lifeboat escorted him until he had safely reached the pier on Sherkin Island at 6.45 pm. Once the lifeboat crew were satisfied that the casualty required no further attention the lifeboat returned to station, arriving at 6.55 pm.
There were four volunteer crew onboard the lifeboat, Helm Micheal Cottrell and crew members David Ryan, Ian Lynch and James Kitt. Assisting at the boathouse were Jerry and Rianne Smith. Conditions in the harbour during the call were calm with a south-westerly force 2 wind and no sea swell.
