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Southend RNLI inshore lifeboat launches to a kitesurfer in distress

Lifeboats News Release

Friday October 6 at 4:40pm Southend-on-Sea RNLI volunteers were tasked by H.M. Coastguard to assist a distressed kitesurfer reported in the vicinity of the Mulberry Harbour off Thorpe Bay.

RNLI/Nigel Gilchrist

In clear skies with a calm sea and moderate West breeze at 4:52pm, Southend RNLI volunteers launched the charity’s D-class inshore lifeboat D-818 Len Thorne GM DFC, the crew headed towards the reported location of the kitesurfer near the Mulberry Harbour.

Arriving on scene at 4:56pm the RNLI inshore lifeboat crew quickly located the casualty. The male kitesurfer had been struggling to get back to shore for around 40 minutes, he was taken onboard the charity’s D-class lifeboat, a quick medical assessment found the casualty in good health with no medical assistance needed.

The volunteer crew transferred the casualty to West beach slipway at 5:02pm where Southend Coastguard rescue team took care of the kitesurfer. RNLI lifeboat D-818 returned to station at 5:20pm.

Key safety information on kitesurfing can be found on the RNLI website https://rnli.org/safety/choose-your-activity/kitesurfing

Note to editors

Photo credits, Martin Harvey & Southend RNLI/Nigel Gilchrist

Southend-on-Sea Lifeboat Station has been saving lives since 1879. The RNLI has two D-class inshore lifeboats housed at Southend RNLI.

RNLI Media contacts

· Nigel Gilchrist, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for Southend-on-Sea lifeboat station, 07765 875300 or [email protected]

· Paul Dunt, Regional Media Officer (South East), 0207 6207426, 07785 296252 [email protected]

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· For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789

RNLI online: For more information on the RNLI please visit http://www.rnli.org/. News releases and other media resources, including RSS feeds, downloadable photos and video, are available at the RNLI News Centre.

Key facts about the RNLI

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution is the charity that saves lives at sea. Our volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service in the United Kingdom and Ireland from 237 lifeboat stations, including four along the River Thames and inland lifeboat stations at Loch Ness, Lough Derg, Enniskillen and Lough Ree. Additionally the RNLI has more than 1,000 lifeguards on over 180 beaches around the UK and operates a specialist flood rescue team, which can respond anywhere across the UK and Ireland when inland flooding puts lives at risk.

The RNLI relies on public donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. As a charity it is separate from, but works alongside, government-controlled and funded coastguard services. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824 our lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved at least 140,000 lives. Volunteers make up 95% of the charity, including 4,600 volunteer lifeboat crew members and 3,000 volunteer shore crew. Additionally, tens of thousands of other dedicated volunteers raise funds and awareness, give safety advice, and help in our museums, shops and offices.

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 or by email.

The RNLI is a charity registered in England and Wales (209603) and Scotland (SC037736). Charity number 20003326 in the Republic of Ireland.

Martin Harvey

Southend inshore lifeboat on scene.

Martin Harvey

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.

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