Rescue 117 located woman in Bannow Bay

By Dan Walsh

Fethard RNLI Lifeboat and helicopter Rescue 117 were requested by the Coast Guard to launch at 4.25pm last Friday evening following a report that a woman was drifting on a paddle board in the direction of Bannow Bay.

Friends and family members raised the alarm from Baginbun Beach when they observed the person onboard the paddle board in difficulty. The lifeboat launched at Fethard Harbour and made its way towards Bannow. Irish Coast Guard Helicopter Rescue 117 located the female and hovered over to pinpoint her location. The lifeboat crew quickly made their way to her location, brought her on board, and returned her to her family on Baginbun Beach.

There was a Force 4 offshore south-westerly wind and moderate sea conditions.

Speaking after the call out, Fethard RNLI Helm Mick Roche said; “The paddle boarder did everything right on the day. She worn a floatation device, stayed with her board when she got into difficulty and had told family and friends her plans. All of this led to a successful rescue.’

‘We would remind everyone visiting the coast in the fine weather that if you do get into difficulty or see somebody in trouble on the water or along the coast, dial 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.”