| British Lifeboats rescue french kitesurfer in Dollymount |
| Thursday, 20 November 2008 10:02 |
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Howth Inshore Lifeboat (ILB) went to the aid of a kitesurfer who was in difficulty off Dollymount beach this afternoon. The French national had gotten his leg entangled in his gear and was found floating a quarter of a mile east of Bull Island. The Coast Guard requested the assistance of the RNLI after another kitesurfer raised the alarm from the shore. He was located using thermal imaging technology as it was dark by this point. The ILB helmsman then entered to water in order to cut the kitesurfer loose from his gear. Conditions were made difficult by the offshore breeze and ebbing tide. They landed on the beach and after assessment it was decided to transfer the man to Beaumont hospital by ambulance rather than helicopter. The RNLI recommends that when engaging in water sports of any kind that people should make themselves visible by wearing instruments like a personal strobe and by never going out unaccompanied. This man was lucky that we found him in time, it also highlights the need for the 24 hour search and rescue service that that RNLI provide” SOURCE: RNLI |












