Photo shows Coast Guard winchman returning to the helicopter at the completion of the rescue operation
At 10:05 this morning, the Skerries Coast Guard team were tasked by the Coast Guard’s Marine Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) to assist a kitesurfer in difficulty. Concerned members of the public on the South Beach, Rush had contacted the Coast Guard on 999 to report that a lone kitesurfer appeared to be in serious difficulty some 200 metres off the shore. The Coast Guard’s Sikorsky helicopter, Rescue 116, based at Dublin Airport was also immediately tasked to the scene. The Skerries lifeboat was also requested to assist.
Both the Skerries Coast Guard team and the Coast Guard helicopter arrived at the scene within minutes and quickly located the kitesurfer. The adult male’s limbs had become tightly tangled in the lines of the kite. He was unable to free himself and as a result, his movement in the water was severely restricted. Fortunately, the kitesurfer was wearing a suitable buoyancy aid which kept him afloat. Conditions on scene were very difficult with Northwest winds gusting force 7 to 8.
The Coast Guard helicopter launched a winch operation and successfully rescued the kitesurfer from the sea. He was then landed safely on the shoreline. The Skerries Coast Guard team cut the kitesurfer free from his lines and provided medical assistance. Fortunately, the kitesurfer was uninjured and suffering only mild hypothermia.
Incident # 6 of 2010