27/07/2016

Lone Yachtsman Rescued 20 Miles Off Coast of Wexford

A lone yachtsman has been rescued from his overturned yacht 20 miles off the coast of Co Wexford.

The yachtsman raised the alarm himself at about 8pm on Tuesday night when he triggered his Personal Locator Beacon, which alerted the Marine Rescue Centre in Dublin of his position.

The Waterford Coast Guard Helicopter was immediately dispatched and spotted the yachtsman a short time later sitting on the hull of his upturned vessel.

He was winched to safety aboard the helicopter and taken to Waterford Regional hospital for examination.

A Coast Guard spokesman highlighted the importance of observing two important safety rules when going to sea; a capacity to stay afloat if you do fall in the water and a capacity to communicate or raise the alert.

(MH/LM)

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