Kite-surfer rescued by Margate RNLI inshore lifeboat

The volunteer crew were called out after three kite-surfers had set out for an evening’s sail from the Westgate-on-Sea area. As they reached Palm Bay off Cliftonville one of them experienced problems and his plight was spotted by a member of the public who alerted the coastguard.

The inshore lifeboat was tasked along with the coastguard rescue team from Margate. The lifeboat quickly located the kite-surfer and he was taken on board and landed back on the beach at Margate, reported to be ‘very tired and very grateful’ by Paul Hodson Margate lifeboat operations Manager. The other two kite-surfers came ashore further to the east and met their colleague back at the lifeboat station.

Mr Hodson added: ‘The expression safety in numbers is an important lesson here as his plight would likely have been spotted by his two colleagues, thankfully a member of the public also noticed him in difficulties. Having the means of raising the alarm yourself is also good advice for kite-surfers and remember, if you see someone in trouble at sea or on the coastline dial 999 and ask for coastguard.’

ENDS

RNLI Media contacts

• Peter Barker, RNLI Margate Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer 07974 064304 [email protected]

• Tim Ash, RNLI Public Relations Manager (London/East/South East) 0207 6207426, 07785 296252 [email protected]

• For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789

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The RNLI charity 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 146,000 lives.

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