New Brighton and Hoylake RNLI launch to assist kitesurfer in trouble
Lifeboats News Release
New Brighton and Hoylake RNLI responded to a report of a kitesurfer struggling in the water near to the ‘Gunsite’ car park in Leasowe on Saturday (9 May).
New Brighton RNLI's volunteer Crew members were requested to launch by the UK Coastguard along with Hoylake RNLI's Hovercraft to assist with a report of a kitesurfer in the water who had got into difficulty in the area of the ‘Gunsite’ car park, Leasowe.
A member of the New Brighton crew who was in the local area at the time, sighted what appeared to be a kitesurfer in difficulty. After contacting the Coastguard the New Brighton lifeboat was launched. Hoylake RNLI's hovercraft
John Russell was also requested to provide support.
The lifeboat headed to the last known location and identified the casualty who had been in the water for 30 minutes and who was starting to fatigue and was being dragged out to sea by the outgoing tide. The crew onboard were able to rescue and recover the casualty onto the lifeboat and provide him with medical care. Hoylake RNLI's hovercraft was also in attendance and her volunteer crew recovered the kitesurfer’s equipment from the water. The casualty was then transferred to New Brighton Lifeboat station where they were checked over by the crew and required no further medical assistance.
Speaking following the call out, Mark Dyer, New Brighton RNLI Deputy Launching Authority said: ‘This rescue was made particularly challenging due to the outgoing tide and resultant shallow water for the lifeboat to operate in. This incident also showed excellent teamwork between the New Brighton and Hoylake lifeboat crews resulting in the casualty and their equipment being recovered. We ask everyone to carefully consider the need to go to the beach, the coast or onto the water at this time. Please follow the government guidelines in relation to essential travel and social distancing.
'Even in these difficult and unprecedented times our RNLI volunteers are still on duty 24/7 and ready to deploy at the sound of the pager.'
Ends
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.
