Bridlington RNLI and rescue agencies called after man falls out of inflatable
Bridlington inshore lifeboat crew were called on Sunday 23 June after a man was thrown from his inflatable boat close to the harbour entrance.
RNLI Bridlington volunteers were launched at 2.50pm after the UK Coastguard had reported someone in the sea not too far from the town's harbour.
Arriving very quickly at the scene Helm Jason Stephenson along with his crew Pete Jones and Joff Pearson fond a small inflatable boat with its outboard engine running at full speed and going round in circles.
Although the inflatable was a possible danger the crews concern was for the reported casualty but their fears were eased after receiving a radio call stating a man had been picked up by a nearby yacht.
The inshore crew went alongside the yacht and put Pete Jones on board to check the man's condition and to administer any casualty care needed.
Jason and Joff then set off to deal with the out of control inflatable at first circling the runaway and trying to judge their approach in order to get alongside it.
The first run into the boat failed but the crew turned quickly to run in again and this time the inshore lifeboat was put skillfully alongside and Jason was able to pull the engines choke and stop the boat. Later the crew found that the engine had a kill switch fitted but it had failed to work.
Helm Jason Stephen later said: 'I was very concerned about the inflatable circling as it was but I felt the main priority was to the casualty first.'
Once the man was ashore he was transferred to the RNLI Bridlington boathouse where Coastguards and Paramedics monitored his condition.
After his ordeal the man said that 'He would like to thank everybody and he was very greatful.'
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