15-07-2025
Courtown RNLI rescue father and son off the coast of popular Wexford beach
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The crew later launched again to rescue a large inflatable which had blown out to sea. Thankfully there was nobody aboard it.
Courtown RNLI Inshore Lifeboat Frank, with a crew of three volunteers was launched in gusty offshore conditions and were quickly on the scene where they located the paddleboarders clinging to a buoy, feeling cold and exhausted.
The volunteer lifeboat crew took the two on board the lifeboat and transported them and their boards to shore where relieved family members were waiting.
The paddleboarders were part of a family group visiting from Spain and thanked Courtown RNLI volunteers for responding so quickly, returning to shore just shortly after 2pm. Courtown Lifeboat helm Yvette Deacon said: 'They were lucky to come across the buoy. The wind was blowing them out to sea very quickly.
'Before going on the water, always check the weather, make sure you have the correct equipment and always call 112/999 as soon as possible and ask for the Coast Guard if you think somebody is in trouble' Yvette said.
Later the same day, Courtown RNLI Lifeboat set out following a call in which a large inflatable Towable was blown out sea. Courtown RNLI Inshore Lifeboat Frank, launched at 6.30pm and was quickly on scene where it was established that nobody was on board the inflatable. It appeared to have been blown off Ardamine beach, Courtown.
RNLI Lifeboat Frank.
Courtown Lifeboat helm Brian McEvoy added: 'You have to be very careful with inflatables in offshore winds, you can be blown out to sea much more quickly than you think. The member of the public did the right thing, if in doubt call 112/999 and ask for the Coast Guard. If there had been anyone on board the inflatable, getting to it as quickly as possible makes all the difference.'
The RNLI is a volunteer driven charity which provides a 24-hour search and rescue service around the coasts of Ireland, including Wexford.
