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Poole Lifeboat rescue paddleboarder being blown offshore

Lifeboats News Release

Poole lifeboat was requested to launch by UK Coastguard at 2.30pm (Wednesday November 23) after receiving numerous calls from the public who had seen a paddleboarder, who had just got caught out and was blown offshore.

The lifeboat was soon on scene and the volunteer crew spotted the paddleboarder 1.2 miles from where they had started off.

The paddleboarder was well prepared, fully kitted with a means of calling for help, however conditions were tricky when you got out of the shelter of the land. The wind was gusting Westerly F 4 to 5.

The lifeboat brought the casualty safely ashore to Knoll Beach, where the volunteers from Swanage Coastguard were on hand to help, as all was well, the lifeboat returned back to station, refuelled and were ready for service by 4pm.

Volunteer helm Steve Porter said:

‘It was quite an easy mistake to make with deceptive weather, the cliffs and land were shielding the bay, but once you were clear of that shelter, conditions were ‘quite’ choppy. Thank you to the diligent members of the public, for calling their concerns in and we would reiterate that if you find yourself in an emergency or spot someone else in trouble, you should call 999 or 112 and ask for the coastguard.'

RNLI/Poole

Poole lifeboat in choppy conditions with the paddleboarder in sight

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 146,000 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.

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