A teenager has been rescued after his unicorn inflatable drifted half a mile out to sea.
An RNLI crew at Portaferry, on the Co Down shore in Belfast, launched after a member of the public reported their concern. The teen was reportedly drifting close to the mouth of Strangford Lough.
They were collected at Angus Rock, checked over for injuries, and then quickly brought back to shore, the charity confirmed.
The RNLI said the boy dud the right thing by sticking to his inflatable, instead of trying to swim to safety.
Speaking to Belfast Live , a Portaferry RNLI spokesman told Belfast Live the teenager was rescued after he drifted more than half a mile out to sea on an inflatable on Tuesday (August 2) afternoon.
They added: “Portaferry RNLI’s volunteer crew launched the inshore lifeboat promptly at 3.45pm and made their way to Killard Point in Strangford Lough. The crew launched in good weather conditions with excellent visibility, a calm sea state and a Force Three westerly wind.
“When on scene at 3.50pm, the crew faced Force Three, excellent visibility and a calm sea state. The crew launched to reports of a teenager that had drifted off shore at Killard Point on an inflatable.
"The alarm was raised by members of the public who were concerned and contacted Belfast Coastguard.
“When the lifeboat crew located the casualty at Angus Rock within Strangford Lough, they immediately set about bringing the teenager onboard the lifeboat whilst checking him over for any injuries.
"The casualty was safe and well. The crew then proceeded back to Kilclief beach and transferred the casualty back into the care of his family.”
Commenting on the call out, Portaferry RNLI Helm Ian Sands said: “We were glad to rescue the casualty this afternoon and bring him to safety.
"The casualty did the right thing by staying with the inflatable until help arrived. It is important to note that while inflatables can be fun, they are not designed for the beach where they can be easily blown offshore.”
