Six rowers in the river after two capsizes in 24 hours

At 19.42 on Thursday evening 4 April 2019 Chiswick lifeboat launched to a report of rowers in the water in Barn Elms Reach. When they arrived the crew found that 5 rowers had managed to reach the foreshore after their quad had capsized but were a long way from their base. The rowers and their cox had all been in the water, they were getting cold in the rapidly cooling evening, but were unhurt. They were all taken on board the lifeboat, given blankets and taken back to their boathouse in Putney where they could warm up. The lifeboat then recovered their vessel and returned it to Putney.

RNLI helmsman Gavin Simmons said ‘There was a suggestion that the rowers could row back themselves if we could help refloat their boat, but once we knew they had all been in the water we knew it was essential to get them back to their boathouse to warm up as quickly as possible.’

The second incident was on Friday afternoon. A single sculler had capsized by Chiswick Bridge. There was a strong spring tide running and he capsized soon after launching. He managed to get to the bank, dialled 999 on his mobile and spoke to London Coastguard who immediately requested Chiswick lifeboat to launch. The crew arrived a few minutes later, provided assistance and recovered the boat.

RNLI helmsman Lewis Arnold commented ‘We always advise anyone going on the water to have a means of calling for help. By calling the coastguard on 999 straightaway the rower ensured that we arrived in the shortest possible time’

Chiswick RNLI lifeboat station is the second busiest in the UK and Ireland. Since The RNLI search and rescue service on the Thames started in 2002, Chiswick Lifeboat has attended over 3,590 incidents and rescued over 1,750 people, and dozens of dogs. The RNLI is entirely funded by public donations.

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• David Clarke RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer (Chiswick), 07951 210500 [email protected]
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• 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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