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Lymington RNLI helm paged to assist kayakers in difficulty on his birthday

Lymington RNLI helm paged to assist kayakers in difficulty on his birthday

Lifeboats News Release

Tuesday 8 September 2020

The Lymington RNLI voluntary crew were called at 4.47pm on 2 Sept to assist HM Coastguard with two kayakers stranded on the marshes.

The Lymington crew were swift to respond, launching David Bradley their Atlantic inshore lifeboat under the command of Phil Baker, who had postponed his birthday celebrations to helm the lifeboat. The weather conditions were good with good visibility and a SW force 3.

The lifeboat proceeded out of the Lymington River and headed towards Oxey marsh, which lies behind Hurst Spit.

The lifeboat picked up one of the Coastguard mud rescue team near the marshes and was able to locate the casualties quickly. The lifeboat tried to find a suitable entry point to the casualties, but given the location and conditions, a decision was made to request the Coastguard helicopter to support the rescue.

There was an ebbing tide and the lifeboat had to take a careful route towards the casualties and given the shallow water had to lift the engine several times to ensure it cleared the sea bed.

The helicopter arrived on scene quickly and was able to winch the two casualties off the marshes and take them to Woodside Gardens where they were handed over to the waiting ambulance crew.

The lifeboat was back was back at the station at 7.15pm and was prepared ready for service again.

Lymington helm Phil Baker said: "It is important to check the weather forecast and tides to ensure you are prepared and equipped for the conditions. It is essential that you are wearing life jackets at all times whilst on the water".

Media Contacts:

Suzanne Brown, Lifeboat Press Officer, Lymington Lifeboat Station (07711) 393910 [email protected]

Paul Dunt, Regional Media Officer, SE and London (07785) 296252 [email protected]

For enquiries outside normal business hours contact the RNLI duty press officer on (01202) 336789

RNLI online: For more information on the RNLI please visit http://www.rnli.org/. News releases and other media resources, including RSS feeds, downloadable photos and video, are available at the RNLI News Centre.

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.

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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.

Suzanne Brown

Lifeboat Press Officer, Lymington Lifeboat Station

Lymington RNLI helm paged to assist kayakers in difficulty on his birthday

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