THE eagle-eyed telescope user who spotted a man in difficulty off Haulbowline on Saturday, thus  ensuring his life was saved, has been praised by the man’s family.
The 37-year-old man from Carrigaline got into difficulty when out on his rigid inflatable boat (rib) on Saturday afternoon.
The  telescope user spotted him when he happened to be looking out at  the ocean. He  immediately raised the alarm.
The Cork Pilot boat rushed to the scene while Crosshaven Lifeboat was also launched. The father-of-two was rushed to Cork University Hospital. He suffered a severe arm injury and underwent surgery but is now recovering well, according to his brother. His brother told the Evening Echo that the family owed a debt of gratitude to the man who raised the alarm and wished to thank him: “Our brother is on the road to recovery thankfully and his great wit is coming back to him. He has spent hours on search and rescue missions with volunteer organisations himself, including the RNLI, so it came full circle.
“His wife is a very strong person and this arm injury, while a bad one, won’t hold him back. It is a long road but he will get there.
“We are very thankful to the man that raised the alarm. His vigilance meant we are looking at recovery rather than more tragic circumstances.”