
Bridlington RNLI lifeguard rescues three men on his first day in the job
New RNLI lifeguard George Welch rescued three men blown out to sea on an inflatable kayak - all on his first day in the job at Bridlington South beach (Monday 3 July).
At about 5.30pm at Bridlington South beach, three men between the ages of 20 and 25 were reported to have blown out to sea by strong offshore winds in an inflatable kayak.
Taryne-Rose Cullen, RNLI Water Safety Delivery Support, North and East, said: ‘The men were around 400 to 500 metres out to sea.’
Taryne entered the water using a rescue board and called for further assistance from new RNLI lifeguard George Welch.
It was George’s first day at work.
He entered the water, also using a rescue board, and followed Taryne to the casualties.
Andrew Jamieson, RNLI Lead Lifeguard Supervisor, said: ‘George safely returned the first man to shore and then went back into the sea to collect the second man who had started swimming towards the beach.
‘Taryne had the third man on a rescue board who was also safely returned to shore.’
HM Coastguard was called by the coordinating RNLI lifeguard Kennady Webster.
The inflatable kayak was retrieved and brought back to shore.
The lifeguards ensured all casualties were safe and did not require aftercare.
Taryne added: ‘To know when the wind is offshore, keep an eye out for the orange windsock on lifeguarded beaches to see which way the wind is blowing.
‘Offshore winds are unpredictable.
‘As lifeguards, we urge people not to take inflatables into the sea as they can get pulled out from shore within seconds.’
In a coastal emergency call 999 and ask for the coastguard or, if you are inland, ask for the fire and rescue service.
RNLI lifeguards remind beachgoers to always visit a lifeguarded beach and to swim within the red and yellow beach flags.
The charity’s lifeguards are trained to offer friendly advice and medical assistance when needed and operate on the beaches seven-days-a-week between 10am and 6pm.
For beach safety information and tips, please visit: https://rnli.org/safety/beach-safety
Notes to editors
RNLI lifeguards are currently operating on the following North & East Yorkshire beaches seven-days-a-week between 10am and 6pm:
-
Redcar
-
Saltburn
-
Runswick Bay
-
Sandsend
-
Whitby
-
Cayton Bay
-
Scarborough North Bay
-
Scarborough South Bay
-
Filey
-
Belvedere (weekend only service)
-
Bridlington North (weekend only service)
-
Bridlington South (weekend only service)
-
Withernsea (weekend only service)
-
Hornsea (weekend only service)
RNLI picture caption
The photograph shows an RNLI lifeguard running to the water with a rescue board. Photo credit: Brad Johnson.
RNLI media contacts
For more information, please contact Toni Carr, RNLI Media Engagement Placement on 07890 402106 or [email protected] or Clare Hopps, Regional Media Officer on 07824 518641 or [email protected] or contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.
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.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.
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.