Busy first week of peak season for Kent’s RNLI Lifeguards
Sunshine and soaring temperatures at the weekend (17 and 18 July) saw thousands of people flock to Kent’s beaches, as RNLI lifeguards in Kent were kept very busy.
Medical assistance was required for a person at Joss Bay who was rescued from the sea by lifeguards Amy and Zack and then brought ashore. The rescued person came back a few days later to thank the lifeguards for helping him on that day.
The beach at Botany Bay saw multiple incidents of people being trapped by the cliff as the tide came in. RNLI lifeguards Jen and Sommer assisted a group of six people in difficulty in the water after they were cut off by the tide.
Tamsin Wilmshurst, Lifeguard Supervisor for Botany Bay, says:
‘The cliffs can catch people out at Botany Bay when the tide comes in. People often get trapped and cut off meaning they need assistance in getting back ashore. If you’re unsure, we suggest getting advice from the lifeguards about the safest places to enter the water.’
On a quieter day, the RNLI Lifeguards at Botany Bay came to the rescue of a baby seal. Not their usual customer, but the seal was handed into the care of the British Divers Marine Life Rescue.
Other incidents across the region included a rescue of a paddleboarder and other members of the public needing assistance in the water.
As the fair weather is set to continue this week and many expected to visit the beaches, the RNLI advises:
- Choose a lifeguarded beach and swim between the red and yellow flags
- Float to Live
- Call 999 and ask for the Coastguard if in trouble
Notes to editors
· The RNLI have recently release their new children’s television advert which advises children (and adults) on how to float when they’re in trouble in the water: https://rnli.getbynder.com/m/296fcc7da2eb7287/original/RNLI-Kids-TV-Advert.mp4
· Find your nearest lifeguarded beach here: https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeguarded-beaches
· For the RNLI’s Beach Safety advice: https://rnli.org/safety/beach-safety
RNLI media contacts
For more information please telephone Sarah Beck, Media Engagement Placement on 07929 673280 or [email protected] or Paul Dunt, Regional Media Officer on 07785 296252 or [email protected] or contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.
RNLI online
For more information, please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on 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 142,700 lives.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter 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.