RNLI crew come to aid of surfer in difficulty off popular Cork beach 

Crew members at Courtmacherry RNLI this morning came to the aid of a surfer who had gotten into difficulty.

The all-weather lifeboat the Val Adnams was called out at 11.35am to go to the immediate aid of the surfer who had got into difficulties in an offshore wind, in what were described as "difficult sea conditions" off Garretstown Beach.

Under coxswain Ken Cashman and a crew of five, the lifeboat immediately made its way to the area of the casualty. 

"The lifeboat located the casualty drifting off shore at 12 noon and successfully brought him safely aboard. 

"He was immediately assessed by the lifeboat crew and brought back to Courtmacsherry Pier and was taken to the lifeboat station for a hot shower and a change of clothes," Courtmacherry RNLI said in a statement. 

"His comrade, who was surfing in the area and raised the alarm, was reunited with him at the lifeboat station shortly before 1pm and both were so delighted to be safely ashore. 

"Great credit was also due to a local surfer that was able to give the casualty a bigger board to hold on to as he was blown out to sea."

The Old Head/Seven Heads Coast Guard unit were also involved in today's rescue operation, coordinating the search on the shoreline. 

The crew on board the lifeboat during today’s callout were coxswain Ken Cashman, mechanic Dave Philips and crew Peter Nunan, Niamh Hurley and father and son Denis and Taylor Murphy. 

Station launch authority Philip White paid tribute to the lifeboat crew for their prompt response. 

"It was great to have 12 of our lifeboat crew arrive so quickly this morning as minutes matter on a callout like this". 

It was so important, Mr White said, that the rescue authorities were called so quickly this morning by dialling 999 or 112 and asking for the Coast Guard.