Portaferry RNLI launched this afternoon (Tuesday 16 April) to aid of an injured windsurfer.
The injured man was reported to be in the area of Pig Island, a small Island in Strangford Lough close to Newtownards Sailing Club in County Down. [caption id="attachment_38072" align="alignleft" width="270"]
Portaferry Lifeboat was called out to rescue an injured windsurfer on Strangford Lough.[/caption]
The weather at the time of the launch was slight to moderate winds with good visibility when the volunteer crew launched the inshore lifeboat at 4:48pm.
The crew were on scene at 5:15pm where they found the injured windsurfer on Pig Island accompanied by two others assisting him.
The Lifeboat crew transferred the wind surfer, who was suffering from a shoulder injury, to the Lifeboat where they immobilised the injured shoulder.
He  was taken to Newtownards Sailing club and was transferred into the care of the Coastguard before being passed to the Ambulance service to be taken to hospital.
The volunteer crew then returned to Portaferry RNLI Station at 6:15pm where Brian Bailie, Portaferry RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Operations Manager said: Â “As the charity that saves lives at sea, we will always respond to any call for help where someone is in danger.
“Strangford Lough is a popular destination for a wide range of water sport enthusiasts and it is important that they take all necessary precautions when using the Lough. As we are all aware, accidents can and do happen and it is at such times that the work carried out by the volunteer crews of the RNLI is so important.”]]>
