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Rescue116/JamesDuffy
Rescue 116 at its Dublin base.
# Ophelia
Rescue 116 and lifeboat crew tasked to windsurfers in difficulty off Louth coast
The incident happened this morning before the men made their way back to shore.
THE IRISH COAST Guard has said that the Rescue 116 helicopter was tasked to the rescue of four windsurfers off the coast of Louth.
The men made their way back to shore themselves but not before a rescue call was put out and the RNLI lifeboat at Clogherhead was launched to assist the men.
The incident comes despite warnings from the Irish Coast Guard and numerous other government agencies to avoid coastal areas.
“CG, RNLI and R116 were tasked today to kite surfers in difficulty off Louth. We advise the public to stay away from the coast during #Ophelia,” the Irish Coast Guard said in a tweet at about 11.30 am.
The rescue was initially thought to involve kite surfers but this was later clarified to be windsurfers.
The call to help the men was made by a member of the public and Rescue 116 later said that assistance was not required despite the helicopter being called to the scene.
“False call with good intent. Four wind surfers located, all safe and well no assistance required,” Rescue 116 said on its Facebook page.
If anyone is spotted in difficulty off the coast or on shore, members of the public are asked to call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.
Read: Ex-Hurricane Ophelia is about to hit Ireland. Here’s what you need to know >
Read: Leo Varadkar: The government IS prepared for Storm Ophelia >
