RNLI Kinghorn Rescues Three Paddleboarders

Three paddleboarders were caught by the wind whilst paddleboarding near Aberdour Silver Sands. When they realised they were in difficulty, they called 999 and asked for the coastguard to request assistance.

Kinghorn RNLI lifeboat crew was paged at 2.26pm, and made their way to the scene. The three casualties were located in a group and the lifeboat was alongside them within 22 minutes of being called.

Crewmember Kelly Bowler recounting the rescue, said, ‘We we were initially told from the first report that the casualties were near Silver Sands, but just as we passed Burntisland harbour, we spotted the three casualties within half a mile of Burntisland breakwater.

‘When we approached the three ladies, we could see they had done the right thing by staying together in a group, which made them much easier to spot. Once alongside, we got the casualties and their boards onto the lifeboat and began taking them back to Silver Sands.

‘On arrival at Silver Sands we worked with RNLI lifeguards to get the three casualties ashore. As the tide was out, we couldn’t get close to the beach due to shallow water, so the lifeguards came out with their rescue boards and towed the three back ashore without them getting wet.

Kelly, who is a lifeguard supervisor for the RNLI as well as a volunteer lifeboat crewmember, continued, ‘It was great to see both RNLI teams working together to successfully complete this rescue. Kinghorn coastguard rescue team also attended to support once all three paddleboarders were ashore.

‘Finally, if you are going paddleboarding, we’d recommend that you wear a buoyancy aid, carry a phone in a waterproof pouch, wear the correct leash, avoid offshore winds, wear suitable clothing so you keep warm, and check the weather forecast and tide times before you set out. If you are in a group, and get into difficulty, keep together and tether boards together and call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.’

Further safety advice for any watersports and activities at the coast is available on the RNLI website.

Notes to editors

• Kinghorn lifeboat station has been operating since 1965. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to www.rnli.org.uk/kinghorn
• RNLI lifeguards are celebrating 25 years on UK beaches. RNLI lifeguards were first introduced in Scotland in 2013.
• RNLI lifeguards can currently be found on Coldingham Bay and Silver Sands (Aberdour) every day 10am - 6pm. They will cover 6 more Scottish beaches from June and throughout the summer season - Burntisland, Leven, Elie, St Andrews East Sands, St Andrews West Sands and Broughty Ferry.

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For further information, please contact:

Neil Chalmers, Lifeboat Press Officer on 07767 380274 or [email protected]

Martin Macnamara, RNLI Regional Media Manager for Scotland, 07920 365929, [email protected]

RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789, [email protected]

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The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,700 lives.

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