Teen rescued after going adrift on unicorn inflatable at Strangford Lough
The RNLI was called out yesterday
A teenage boy's been rescued from Strangford Lough after drifting more than half a mile out on what the RNLI’s described as a ‘unicorn inflatable’.
The alarm was raised yesterday afternoon by members of the public.
A statement from the RNLI said, “ Portaferry RNLI’s volunteer crew launched the inshore lifeboat promptly at 3.45pm and made their way to KilardPoint in Strangford Lough.”
“The crew launched in good weather conditions with excellent visibility, a calm sea state and a Force Three westerly wind.”
“When on scene at 3.50pm, the crew faced Force Three, excellent visibility and a calm sea state.”
“The crew launched to reports of a teenager that had drifted off shore at Kilard Point on an inflatable. The alarm was raised by members of the public who were concerned and contacted Belfast Coastguard”.
“When the lifeboat crew located the casualty at Angus Rock within Strangford Lough, they immediately set about bringing the teenager onboard the lifeboat whilst checking him over for any injuries.”
“The casualty was safe and well. The crew then proceeded back to Kilciefbeach and transferred the casualty back into the care of his family the Coastguard.”
Commenting on the call out, Portaferry RNLI Helm Ian Sands said, ‘We were glad to rescue the casualty this afternoon and bring him to safety.”
“The casualty did the right thing by staying with the inflatable until help arrived.”
“It is important to note that while inflatables can be fun, they are not designed for the beach where they can be easily be blown offshore.”
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