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Entangled Kite Surfer rescued from the Blackwater by West Mersea RNLI

Lifeboats News Release

On Sunday January 7 at 12.42pm West Mersea RNLI’s Atlantic 85 lifeboat Just George, launched on service to rescue a kite surfer in difficulties off the southern shore of Mersea Island.

The kite surfer got into difficulties after he became entangled with his lines which were wrapped around his legs. A fellow kite surfer heard his cries and headed back to the beach to call for help.

The West Mersea lifeboat was sent to the rescue. The volunteer crew soon found the casualty off the southern shore of Mersea Island and plucked him to safety.

The kite surfer had been in the water for an hour and a half struggling to untangle himself from his kit. The West Mersea lifeboat crew picked him up, recovered all his gear and brought him back to the station to warm up.

RNLI Picture credit

The photograph shows the casualty onboard the West Mersea Lifeboat Just George. Photograph by West Mersea RNLI.

RNLI Media contacts

For more information please contact Leafy Dumas, RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on: 01206 386507 or 07761 303597. Or email: [email protected]

RNLI West Mersea

Kite Surfer brought to safety by West Mersea RNLI.

Key facts about the RNLI

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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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

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