Derrynane crew warn of deadly currents

DERRYNANE Inshore Rescue team has warned open water swimmers to take extreme care following two life-threatening incidents in 10 days on the south west coast.

The latest occurred near Templenoe shortly after 5pm on Sunday when a member of the public heard screams from a young County Cork teenager on a bodyboard floating out to sea, fuelled by a strong offshore wind.

Valentia Coastguard called on Derrynane Inshore Rescue who reached the 15-year-old just three minutes after a local rib had picked him up.

The team helped bring the Bishopstown teen, who was wearing a shorty wetsuit, to Templenoe Pier where he was treated for shock and hypothermia before being transferred to Southdoc.

“The teenager shouldn’t have gone swimming alone and been on a body board where there are strong off shore winds, as the board will act like a sail and blow you out to sea,” Derrynane Inshore Rescue’s Michael Martin stated afterwards.

“He did the right thing by staying with the board. This incident could easily have been a tragedy if it wasn’t for a vigilant member of the public.”

Meanwhile, on Thursday, April 9, the crew was also called out to a three person rescue - a father and his seven & eight year old children - on Derrynane Long Beach, an area noted for its deadly rip-current and under-currents.

Waterville Coast Guard Unit also responded to the incident and while the children managed to make it to safety, the father was caught in the dangerous rip-current. The crew eventually picked him and administered first aid. All recovered fully.

“With it only being April, we have responded to two situations involving swimmers in dangerous locations within the space of 10 days, so we are worried there will be more incidents like this,” Mr Martin continued.

Derrynane Inshore Rescue is a voluntary unit relying on public donations.