A man is recovering after he was rescured following a search off the Clare coast last evening.
The man was travelling from Quilty to Doonbeg on a rigid inflatable board or ‘rib’ last evening, and was due to arrive at his destination at around 5:00.
The vessel had earlier taken a group of divers out and had returned them safely to shore.
However, it was then travelling to its home port and emergency services were alerted when it was overdue.
The rescue co-ordination centre on Valentia Island tasked the Shannon-based helicopter and the Kilkee Coastguard unit to the area, with a coastal and sea search beginning before 6:00. The Doolin Coast Guard were also involved in the operation.
After around 2 hours, the man, who is in his 40s and part of the Limerick sub-aqua club, was spotted on Mutton Island off Quilty, without his boat. It is reported that a wave had capsized the vessel, and that he had to swim more than 500m to safety.
He was airlifted to Shannon Airport, and subsequently brought to Limerick Regional Hospital.
