Eastbourne RNLI Crew receive Commendations for rescuing windsurfer
Four members of Eastbourne RNLI’s volunteer crew have received commendations from the RNLI’s Director of Lifesaving Operations for a rescue of a 73 year old windsurfer who had been reported missing and was found semi-conscious.
Dean Parker, Aaron Stevenson, Pete Needham and Thomas Mele were the crew on the inshore lifeboat that were involved in the rescue which happened on 30 June 2019.
Both lifeboats were tasked alongside the coastguard to search for a windsurfer reported missing off Pevensey Bay. The crew aboard the D-class inshore lifeboat Lawrence and Percy Hobbs spotted the casualty draped across his broken board in a state of distress. The casualty was brought on board the inshore lifeboat and taken ashore to waiting paramedics at Cooden Beach.
In a letter to the crew, John Payne, Director of Lifesaving Operations wrote:
'The ILB Laurence and Percy Hobbs was launched to search for a 73 year old windsurfer who was reported missing. After a difficult search the ILB located the semi-conscious casualty and recovered them on board. The casualty was kept warm and cared for until evacuated to Cooden Beach where they were later transferred to an ambulance.
'This service was time critical, with the casualty in serious trouble when he was recovered. Had the lifeboat crew not sighted him when they did the outcome could have been much more serious'.
The commendations were presented to the crew on station by Eastbourne's volunteer Lifeboat Operations Manager Carl Pocock:
‘It is an honour to present these commendations to some of our volunteer crew,’ said Carl.
The original story can be found here https://rnli.org/news-and-media/2019/july/02/elderly-windsurfer-saved-by-eastbourne-lifeboat
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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