Teenagers assist Calshot RNLI crew in rescue of jetskiers

On 21 March 2021 at 5.28pm crews were paged to a Mayday call from a jetski that had capsized near Hythe. Launching both the Atlantic 85 lifeboat Max Walls and D class lifeboat Willett, the volunteer crews made best speed to the incident.

On arrival, the two casualties had managed to make it to shore, where they were being cared for by two local teenagers, Jake, 17, and Mikey,14 that had been enjoying a bike ride in the area when they had seen events unfold.

Recognising the danger that the casualties were in due to having been submerged in the cold water, they used their own dry clothes to keep them warm until they could receive further help.

Atlantic 85 helm Tony Carrier put two of his crew ashore to assess the condition of the casualties. Both casualties were extremely cold, both had ingested water and neither were able to move unaided. Placing specialist survival clothing over them to help keep their body temperature from dropping further, the decision was made to extract them by boat to nearby Hythe Marina to be met by emergency services.

The two volunteer crew members carried both casualties the short distance from the beach to the boat and after a short transfer, they were successfully handed over to paramedics from South Central Ambulance Service for ongoing care.

Jake and Mikey cycled from the beach to the marina where they were reunited with the clothing that they had used to keep the casualties warm.

Helm Tony Carrier said; ‘The casualties had a radio with them and were able to issue a Mayday call to alert us to their predicament. Even though we’ve had fine weather in recent days, the water temperature is still very cold and even a short period in the water can be very dangerous. Both casualties had ingested some seawater, adding the risk of secondary drowning into the equation. Based on their condition we decided that extracting them via the lifeboat to the nearby Hythe Marina was the best option for the casualties.’

Lifeboat Operations Manager and On Duty Deputy Launching Authority Diane Carrier added; ‘Without a doubt the quick thinking of Jake and Mikey on the shore helped to keep the casualties body temperature from dropping further. They should be incredibly proud of their actions and we are looking forward to welcoming them to the station to express our thanks in person, when government restrictions allow.’

Media Contacts:

Calshot Lifeboat Station volunteer Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer Justyn Leonard (07540) 920678 [email protected]

Calshot Lifeboat Station volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer Danni Strawford-Jones (07721) 694135 [email protected]

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

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

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