A SWIMMER who sparked a
major air and sea search off Lisfannon was unaware
he was deemed missing.
The man was swimming from Stragill to Fahan on
Friday evening with a support vessel but coming into
the final stretch of the marathon swim, the boat
lost sight of him.
Following an unsuccessful search of the area, the
vessel issued an emergency call for help shortly
after 7.30pm.
Malin Head Coast Guard tasked the Lough Swilly
Lifeboat who sent their inshore and all-weather boat
crews to the scene.
As darkness fell, the Coast Guard rescue helicopter
was tasked to assist, arriving at the lough around
8.40pm. A number of local boats also joined the
search.
RNLI spokesperson Joe Joyce said the swimmer was
then spotted by a boat leaving Fahan Marina. "A
local vessel coming out from the marina subsequently
spotted the swimmer in the Fahan Creek area. The
swimmer was found to be safe and well," said Mr.
Joyce, who added that the man was unaware he was the
subject of the major search. |
