Margate RNLI responds following concern for windsurfer
Margate’s RNLI inshore lifeboat was in action earlier this evening following concerns for the safety of a windsurfer off Minnis Bay.
RNLI lifeguards on duty at Minnis Bay contacted UK Coastguard around 6pm this evening (Sunday 18 August) expressing concern for a windsurfer sitting on his board around 400m off the coast.
Margate’s RNLI inshore lifeboat was tasked to investigate and upon its arrival at the scene established that the windsurfer had made his way ashore onto rocks. The RNLI lifeguards checked on his welfare and after confirming all was well and that he was not in need of assistance the lifeboat returned to station.
Nick Smith, Deputy Launching Authority, Margate RNLI said: “This was a false alarm with good intent from a reliable source and we encourage anyone who sees similar situations to err on the side of caution and dial 999 and ask for coastguard. We would rather respond early than experience a delay that could make a subsequent search and rescue operation more complex.”
ENDS
RNLI Media contacts
-
Peter Barker, RNLI Margate Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer 07974 064304 peter_barker@rnli.org.uk
-
Paul Dunt, Regional Media Officer (SouthEast), 0207 6207416, 07786 668825 paul_dunt@rnli.org.uk
-
For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789
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 over 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 142,700 lives.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.
Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.