The alarm was raised at about 9.45am at Skippingstone beach, Bangor, on 1 October when a member of the public reported their concern for a person they had spotted struggling on rocks being pounded by the sea.
The 999 call was picked up at Belfast Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre which swiftly sent Bangor Coastguard Rescue Team (CRT) and the local RNLI inshore lifeboat.
First on the scene was Senior Coastal Operations Officer Ryan Gray who, taking in the situation, quickly donned a personal floatation device attached to a line.
As the sea surged, Ryan shouted a warning to the man before, seconds later, a wave picked the figure up and threw him to the shore.
The powerful surge carried him up the beach where Ryan was able to step forward and seize him out of the foam before he could be dragged out.
Rocks can look deceptively safe places – before a water surge comes in and the situation suddenly changes to danger.
With the assistance of a passerby securely keeping hold of Ryan’s line, they pulled the casualty to safety.
The man suffered cuts and bruises but was otherwise safe and well. He was passed into the care of paramedics from the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service.
Ryan, who oversees CRTs at Bangor, Kilkeel, Lough Erne, Newcastle and Portaferry, said: “Speed was of the essence in this situation as the waves were strong enough to carry the man out to sea or severely hurt him on the rocks.
“At HM Coastguard me and my teams train regularly for these types of incidents. Safely equipped, I was able to be in the right place at the right time to recover the man to dry land, with the help of a passerby.
“Our advice when there is rough water is always to steer clear. Rocks can look deceptively safe places – before a water surge comes in and the situation suddenly changes to danger. If you see anyone in danger by the coast call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.”
For safety advice when visiting the coast, go to hmcoastguard.uk/safety-advice
