Abersoch RNLI issue safety advice to paddleboarders following a further call-out
Following a report from a concerned member of the public of a sighting of a paddleboarder, who was approximately one mile out at sea off Porth Neigwl beach, the volunteer crew at Abersoch RNLI were tasked by HM Coastguard at 4.06pm Thursday (14 August) to investigate further.
The lifeboat was launched at 4.22pm and on arrival the crew found one adult male, wearing only a wetsuit, who was sitting on his paddleboard trying to paddle back to shore. The casualty was picked up, along with his equipment, and returned safely to the beach.
The volunteer crew reported that there were others paddleboarding in the area and they issued suitable safety advice before returning to the lifeboat station at 5.20pm.
Commenting on the incident Abersoch RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager Andy Vowell said, ‘We need to put an important safety message out there that all paddleboarders need to carry safety equipment such as a life jacket and a form of communication in addition to wearing the safety leash’. He further added, ‘Although the sea may look calm and flat they should take extra care with offshore winds and states of the tide and be aware of their own capabilities as they are not designed to go far out to sea. The local retailers in the area can assist and are happy to provide suitable safety advice.’
Notes to editors
- Abersoch Lifeboat Station has been operating for just over 150 years. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/abersoch-lifeboat-station
· The current B Class Atlantic 85 Lifeboat launches to a variety of both commercial and leisure craft call-outs
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The photo of the inshore lifeboat is a library image which was taken before Covid-19 restrictions.
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