Teenager rescued from the sea by young Jet Ski rider.

On Monday afternoon (31 May) at around 3.39pm, Plymouth RNLI's Deputy launching authority Amanda Brown received a call from Falmouth Coastguard after members of the public had called 999 informing them that a swimmer had got in to difficulty in the vicinity of Bovisand Beach. Amanda paged our volunteer crew requesting the Inshore lifeboat Annabel E Jones launch on service.

The three RNLI crew members Alex Grassick (ILB Helm), Cameron Hicks (ILB Crew) and James Scott (ILB crew) launched the Inshore lifeboat and quickly proceeded to the scene. Upon arrival our crew found the casualty had been extracted from the water by a jet ski rider who was with Gareth Griffiths the owner of Jet Ski Safaris Plymouth and handed over to a passing sailing vessel. The Police launch also attended.

The casualty who was cold and exhausted was extracted from the small vessel and handed over to the fully trained and equipped lifeboat crew. After further assessment the casualty was taken to an awaiting ambulance at Bovisand Fort where paramedics from South West Ambulance service gave him a full check over following concerns for secondary drowning.

The RNLI's volunteer lifeboat crew returned to station, fuelled and ready for service.

A spokesperson for Plymouth RNLI said;

'We’re asking the public to help save more lives by sharing some simple survival skills:

If you find yourself in the water unexpectedly, fight your instincts and float until the effects of cold water shock pass.

If you see someone else in trouble at the coast, call 999 or 112 and ask for the coastguard.

Swim at a lifeguarded beach, between the red and yellow flags.

Always take a means of calling for help.

Check the weather and tide times.

Know what to do – visit RNLI.org/safety.

As a charity we are reliant on voluntary donations to power our lifesaving work. People donate and raise money for us in all sorts of ways. To donate, visit RNLI.org/donate.

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.

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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.