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Life saved as Littlestone RNLI lifeboat races to windsurfer with snapped mast

Lifeboats News Release

On Saturday afternoon August 22 at 4.00pm our volunteer lifeboat crew John Ruffhead (Helm), Iain Bates (Helm/crew) and Heather Crittenden (Crew) were tasked to assist a drifting windsurfer who’s mast had snapped three quarters of a mile out from Lydd-on-Sea beach.

Littlestone RNLI Atlantic 75 launching in rough seas

RNLI/Iain Bates

Launch
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Barely visible from the launch ramp, the lifeboat crew could just about make out the casualty. Realising that he was drifting out into the shipping lanes of the English Channel and no other boats in the area to assist the lifeboat crew made way as fast as physically possible

Sea state: Choppy, Wind : Force 7 Gusting force 8, Visibility: Poor.

Upon arrival the casualty seemed fine but cold so once the crew had helped him aboard the Fred Clarke lifeboat he was checked over and kept warm. The surf board was also taken on board but the mast and sail were lost.

RNLI Lifeboat Helm John Ruffhead said:

‘A definite life saved today. This guy was heading for a lot of trouble, he was drifting fast but had done everything right. He had a means to call the Coastguard and had got himself onto his board to be as high as possible so that he was more visible.’

The lifeboat was recovered by the volunteer shore crew and the casualty checked over once more and after a short time made his way home.

The RNLI lifeboat was then washed, refuelled and made ready for service.

Always carry a means to call for help and call 999 and ask for the Coastguard if you find yourself in difficulty and always wear a lifejacket when on the water.

RNLI Media Contacts:

For more information please telephone Gavin Munnings, RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer on 07568 719991 or email [email protected] or Paul Dunt, RNLI Regional Media Manager on 07785 296252 [email protected] or RNLI Public Relations on 01202 336789.
The Fred Clarke Atlantic 75 in choppy seas

RNLI/Iain Bates

Choppy seas
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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.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok 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.

About the author

Gavin Munnings
Lifeboat Press Officer, Littlestone Lifeboat Station

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