Both Poole Lifeboats launched to paddle boarder in difficulty
Both Poole lifeboats were tasked by UK Coastguard at 19.15, this evening (Saturday 26 May) as a report came through that a woman paddle boarder was in difficulty at Whitley Lake, which is inside the harbour, off Shore Road.
The Atlantic lifeboat was first on scene and found the paddle boarder sat on the board whilst under tow by a windsurfer who was struggling to proceed.
The inshore lifeboat came alongside and checked the casualty was okay. The D class lifeboat then arrived on scene, the casualty was transferred across on to the inshore lifeboat. An assessment of the casualty was made and she was found to be tired but otherwise alright.
The inshore lifeboat made its way through the shallow waters, taking the casualty ashore at the end of Shore Road where the Poole Coastguard unit were standing by.
There was a fresh north easterly wind force 3-4 that was blowing the casualty off to sea, this was hampering the paddle boarder’s efforts to get back to the beach, and fortunately the casualty did have the means to call 999 and asked for help as she was heading further and further away from the shore.
Both lifeboats returned back to station and after refuelling were ready for service at 20.30.
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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