Eastbourne RNLI's launch to windsurfer sees first shout for Ryan
Eastbourne RNLI’s volunteer crew were paged just after 6pm on 26 September to reports of a windsurfer in distress near Pevensey Bay.
The crew launched the D class inshore lifeboat. When they arrived they found that a member of the public was assisting the windsurfer, they checked on the casualty and stood by until the windsurfer was safely back on the beach. They returned to the station and made the boat ready to launch again by 7.15pm.
The crew were Dean Parker, Aaron Stevenson and Ryan Needham. It was Ryan’s first shout since joining the crew, following in Dad Dave Needham’s footsteps as Dave has been part of the crew for several years.
‘It was great to finally put my training into action on my first shout. I was nervous and excited. It was also a bit odd as I’ve been shore crew when my dad was gone out on shouts so for it be the other way round with him as shore crew and me going out on the shout was a bit different.’
Dad Dave Needham added ‘It was great to see Ryan go out on his first shout as part of the crew and even better our roles were reversed as normally, he is shore crew when I launch, so it was a proud moment seeing him go.’
Media Contacts:
Daniel Baldock, Eastbourne RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer (07895) 369688 [email protected]
Paul Dunt, RNLI Regional Media Officer London London and South East (07785) 296252 [email protected]
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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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