Two children and one adult rescued by Plymouth RNLI after their dinghy capsized and left them stranded on Plymouth Breakwater.
The volunteer crew rushed to launch the charity’s Inshore Lifeboat (Annabel E Jones) after the pagers sounded and reports came through that two children was in the water.
The charity’s Atlantic 85 with its top speed of 35 knots reached the Western side of Plymouth Breakwater within minutes of launching and located the three casualty’s sat on the Breakwater slightly cold and wet. Their dinghy had filled with water and needed bailing out before the crew could established a tow back to Oreston slip way .
Thankfully all three had lifejackets on and used their mobile phone to call 999 and ask for the coastguard.
If you get into trouble call 999 and ask for the Coastguard and we will come to your aid. But coronavirus hasn’t gone away, and we all need to follow the rules. Remember your choices might put people, including yourself and frontline responders, at risk. Take extra care in these extraordinary times.
After the lockdown restrictions have been eased the RNLI urges all who are using the water to make sure they understand the risks and follow safety advice:
* Take care near cliffs - know your route and your limitations
* Have a plan - check the weather forecast and tide times
* If you fall into the water unexpectedly, FLOAT TO LIVE. Fight your instinct to thrash around, lean back, extend your arms and legs, and Float
* If individuals are choosing to go sailing or yachting it is important to ensure that equipment is properly checked and serviceable before going afloat.
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.
