Watch as RNLI Anstruther crew rescue windsurfer stranded in Firth of Forth

The dramatic rescue was made by an RNLI crew in the Firth of Forth

This is the moment a lifeboat crew rescued a windsurfer stranded miles from land off the coast of Fife.

RNLI Anstruther shared dramatic footage after two boats were dispatched by the UK Coastguard on Friday evening.

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The alarm was raised by an eagle-eyed resident in Anstruther with a telescope, who spotted the man in difficulty south of the May island, in the Firth of Forth.

RNLI Anstruther crews set off to rescue a windsurfer.RNLI Anstruther crews set off to rescue a windsurfer.
RNLI Anstruther crews set off to rescue a windsurfer.

After a speedy search, the windsurfer was located 10 miles from Anstruther and a further six miles from his destination of Dunbar in East Lothian.

The rescuers can be seen on video

The windsurfer could be heard telling the crew the "the problem is the wind has dropped" as he crossed the water.

He was taken to the safety of Dunbar harbour, 16 miles from the East Neuk town.

Anstruther's inshore lifeboat refuelled in Dunbar and made its way back across the Forth to Anstruther.

Commenting on the rescue, volunteer crew member aboard the inshore lifeboat, Shelley Watson said: “We would like to praise the efforts of the caller who not only spotted the windsurfer in difficulty but dialled 999 and asked for the Coastguard.

"If you see anyone in difficulty, we ask that you too do as this person did and dial 999 and get help to the person”.

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