Swimmer In Only Trunks Survives 12 Hours At Sea After Being ‘Helped By Dolphins’

Aug 27, 2021 by apost team

Time and time again, animals have shown just how truly remarkable they can be. They are capable of learning new skills, adapting to their surroundings and carrying out tasks that can be critical for survival. In August 2021, animals once again showed just how amazing they are when a pod of dolphins appeared to have helped a man who was trapped at sea for almost 12 hours.

Irishmen Ruairi McSorley, 24, was stranded for the better part of the day away from shore after a day of swimming had gone wrong. He was fortunately found by a lifeboat crew in County Kerry after withstanding the icy cold waters. Rescuers had been called in early in the morning and searched well into the night before finally being able to spot the man; it was around 8:30 p.m. when the crew spotted McSorley, who had been floating among a group of dolphins. For centuries, dolphins have been viewed by humans as being extremely kind, gentle and helpful creatures, and it seems like they have continued to live up to their great reputation.

Extremely cold and exhausted, the recovered man was found wearing nothing but his swimming trunks. Since the water on Ireland’s Atlantic coast can reach extremely low temperatures even during the summer, it was surprising that McSorley had managed to withstand the cold. In total, it took two lifeboat crews and a helicopter to search for and eventually locate the man who was lost at sea. However, it seemed like he had also been fortunate enough to have also gotten some help from some aquatic friends.

BBC reported that McSorley had been spotted 2.5 miles off Castlegregory Beach, near Tralee, late at night on Aug. 22, 2021. The lifeboat crew from County Derry expressed that they had used “every part of their training” to rescue the swimmer who was lost at sea for close to 12 hours. On top of being found hypothermic and exhausted, the man was wearing nothing but a pair of swimming trunks, and was swiftly taken to University Hospital Kerry, as per BBC. He told rescuers that he had been trying to swim to Mucklaghmore Rock, which was located more than 5.5 miles from Castlegregory Beach. Fortunately, he is recovering well.

Gerard O’Donnell of Fenit RNLI expressed how “overjoyed” the rescue crew was when they found the unnamed swimmer. “They had been scanning the water for any sign of movement and were worried with light fading that they would not find anyone,” he said. According to NDTV, the crew had been able to spot McSorley due to a pod of dolphins. The animals had been circling him, which ultimately captured the attention of rescuers.

O’Donnell advised people to take safety precautions by advising their friends or family members about their whereabouts and when they expect to be back. Jackie Murphy, an RNLI volunteer, said that it was a “miracle” that the swimmer managed to survive the entire ordeal and that he later thanked rescuers for their service. Thankfully an experienced and well-trained crew, along with the help of some kind-hearted aquatic friends, worked day and night to find McSorley and make sure he was safe and sound.

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