Lymington RNLI Volunteers rescue young fisherman from the marshes
Lymington RNLI volunteers were paged at 8.36pm on Sunday 20 May to reports of a small dinghy aground to the east of the river in Pylewell Lake.
Arriving on the scene the Lymington RNLI lifeboat crew aboard Atlantic 85 lifeboat B-882 David Bradley found that the low tide prevented an approach from either end of the Pylewell Lake channel and landed two lifeboat crew onto the marsh edge at the closest suitable point.
From here the two lifeboat crew walked approximately 300 metres to the casualty vessel to find a small inflatable ‘pool toy’ craft with a young fisherman and his catch aboard.
Having ascertained that the youngster was uninjured, one lifeboat crew assisted the youngster back across the marsh to the lifeboat whilst the other dragged the dinghy. Once all was recovered the lifeboat made a hasty return to the Harbour Master’s Pontoon delivering the youngster into a warm up shower and then into the grateful care of his father who had raised the initial alarm following a phone call from the youngster when he became stuck.
Lifeboat recovered and released for further service at 9.55pm after a post mud event deep clean by the shore crew.
RNLI Lifeboat Helmsman’s Quote: This dinghy which is widely available on the internet is advertised as being suitable as a pool and beach toy. Realistically it has no place in the fast-flowing waters of the western Solent even inshore behind the marsh edge and within the complex series of gullies that form the Lymington Marshes.
Notice to Editors:
· For over 50 years, Lymington RNLI Lifeboat has provided search, rescue and lifesaving capability in the western Solent, Needles Channel and eastern sector of Christchurch Bay.
· The RNLI Lifeboat Station open days will be on: Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 August 2018 coinciding with the food festival being held on the adjacent Bath Road Park.
RNLI Media Contacts:
- Peter Mills, Lymington RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer 07767 213583 [email protected]
- Paul Dunt, Regional Media Officer (South East) on 0207 6207426, 07785 296252 email: [email protected]
· For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789 email: [email protected]
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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