RNLI Aldeburgh lifeboats launched to rescue two swimmers swept out to sea
RNLI Aldeburgh all-weather lifeboat (ALB), the Freddie Cooper and inshore lifeboat (ILB), the Susan Scott was launched on Thursday 16 June, at approximately 4.45pm, following a Coastguard request, to a report of two swimmers in difficulty, south of Aldeburgh.
Five swimmers had gone into the water off Shingle Street, south of Aldeburgh. Three had returned to the beach as the tide was proving too difficult, but two remained in the water as they couldn’t swim back to shore.
One was reported clinging onto the Orford Haven buoy, while the other swimmer was swept further out to sea, as the tide was going out, so the search was time critical. The Coastguard requested the launch of the ALB to assist the ILB.
Once on scene, the ILB crew had to search for the swimmers, as one had been pulled off the buoy due to the strength of the tide. That swimmer was found and recovered.
The other was eventually found three quarters of a mile off shore. Both casualties were exhausted, having been in the water for nearly an hour, with one showing signs of hypothermia. In the meantime, the Coastguard helicopter had been tasked to assist in the search of the casualties and other emergency services called.
As both casualties had been recovered the ALB was stood down and returned to station at 5.50pm.
The ILB carried out casualty care on both casualties until arriving at the beach, where the ambulance and helicopter crew were waiting to assess them, as there was concern about one of the swimmers.
Once handed over into their care, the ILB was stood down and returned to station.
The RNLI advise anyone going into the sea should check whether it is suitable to swim off that beach, check the tides, sea temperature and weather.
RNLI media contacts
For more information please telephone :-
- Caron Hill, Aldeburgh RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer, 07837 263210 email [email protected]
- Clare Hopps, RNLI Regional Media Officer (North and East) 07824518641/ [email protected]
- Jim Rice, RNLI Regional Media Manager (North and East), 07810658072/ [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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