A SURFER WAS rescued off the Belfast coast last night after spending 32 hours in the water.

Belfast Coastguard coordinated the search after a young man who went surfing off a beach near Campbeltown Scotland on Sunday and didn’t return.

The young man had set off to go surfing off the Argyll coast that morning and had not been heard from since 11.30am.

Scottish RNLI lifeboats and Coastguard rescue teams searched large areas of coastline from lunchtime Sunday in an effort to find the man.

Dawn Petrie, who was coordinating the search at Belfast Coastguard Operations Centre said:

“Hope was fading of finding the surfer safe and well after such a long period in the water and with nightfall approaching we were gravely concerned.

But at 7.30pm Monday night, the crew on the Coastguard rescue helicopter were delighted when they located the man still with his surf board and 13 miles off the coast.

“He’s hypothermic but conscious and has been flown to hospital in Belfast.”

It’s understood that the man’s preparation before heading out contributed to his survival.

“He was kitted out with all the right clothing including a thick neoprene suit and this must have helped him to survive for so long at sea.”

Commenting on the search and rescue operation Red Bay RNLI Coxswain Paddy McLaughlin said that the massive team effort resulted in a successful outcome, and praised the surfer for staying with his surfboard, which kept him afloat.

The young man wore the correct clothing and stayed with his surfboard, giving himself valuable time and keeping safe.

“It just shows that even after 32 hours at sea people can be found and rescued. We wish the young man a full recovery after his ordeal.”

It’s advised that if you’re engaging in activities at sea to tell someone where you are going and take an appropriate means of raising the alarm in an emergency.

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