Port St Mary RNLI paged to assist kite surfer in difficulty

The kite surfer was observed by a member of the public becoming separated from their board and appeared to be in difficulty and getting pulled out to sea.

Due to the force 6 south-easterly wind and moderate sea conditions, the decision was made four minutes later at 10:26am, that Port St Mary’s relief Trent class all-weather lifeboat RNLB Forward Birmingham, was a preferred vessel to attend due to the urgency in wanting to reach the scene and assist the casualty as quickly as possible.

As Forward Birmingham was just about to cast off and head towards Derbyhaven, Belfast Coastguard communicated that the kite surfer had managed to make it safely back to shore without assistance and so at 10.37am Port St Mary RNLI was stood down.

Port St Mary RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager Sarah Keggen says :

'We wish to thank the member of the public for their quick response in alerting the coastguard to the kite surfer’s situation and although the lifeboat wasn’t required this time it goes to show how quickly these incidents can escalate.'

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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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