Inshore lifeboat tasked to paddleboarder struggling in offshore wind

The inshore lifeboat (ILB) launched and made best speed to Ballard Point. The volunteer lifeboat crew located a paddleboarder who said that they were happy with the conditions and did not require assistance. Whilst on the water the volunteer lifeboat crew spotted another paddleboarder who they approached to check if assistance was required and they confirmed they were fine to make progress to their intended destination. As the ILB was about to return to base, two kayakers were reported as potentially being in difficulty as one of them was appearing to be struggling in the offshore wind. The ILB was quickly on scene and one kayaker accepted the offer of a lift back to shore and was soon landed on the beach near Ocean Bay. The other kayaker was making good progress against the wind to shore and was happy to continue without assistance.

With nobody else in difficulty in the area the lifeboat was released to return to station.

ILB Crew: (Helm) Darren Tomes, Ben Jarvis, Alan Parmenter
Shore Crew: (Head Launcher) Dave Turnbull, Morgan Woodford, Jamie Trumper

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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