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Southend-on-Sea RNLI launch Atlantic 85 to paddleboarder

Lifeboats News Release

Saturday October 14 at 3.47pm HM Coastguard tasked Southend-on-Sea RNLI to search for a person in the water approximately half a mile south of Two Tree Island.

RNLI/Nigel Gilchrist

B-885 Julia and Angus Wright

Southend RNLI volunteers launched the charity’s B-class Atlantic 85 ‘Julia and Angus Wright’ at 4.05pm in a moderate westerly breeze and headed at best speed towards the reported position of a person in the water.

Further information from the Coastguard reported that a male paddleboarder had left from Canvey Island and was unable to return to shore against the wind and ebbing tide, drifting in an easterly direction out to sea.

Coastguard helicopter ‘Rescue 163’ was operating in the area and tasked to assist in the search for the paddleboarder. Southend RNLI volunteers were given instructions to search further offshore and east of the initial reported position. A further update from HM Coastguard who were communicating with the casualty set the search area closer to Canvey Island.

At 4.15pm the casualty was sighted by Coastguard helicopter ‘Rescue 163’ off Chalkwell on the south side of Marsh Sand. Southend RNLI lifeboat guided by ‘Rescue 163’ arrived at 4.22pm taking the casualty onboard.

The charity’s volunteers took the casualty back to Southend RNLI offshore station arriving at 4.40pm. The paddleboarder was in good health not requiring medical assistance, he received a hot cup of tea in the station with the volunteer crew.

The paddleboarder was well equipped and did the right things, wearing the correct clothing and personal floatation device, carrying a means to call for help and remaining with his board.

Key safety information for paddleboarding can be found on the RNLI website. https://rnli.org/safety/choose-your-activity/stand-up-paddle-boarding

Notes to editors,

Southend RNLI B-class Atlantic 85, B-885 ‘Julia and Angus Wright’ is housed in Southend’s offshore boathouse, launched by a davit.

Photo credit. RNLI Nigel Gilchrist.

RNLI Media contacts

· Nigel Gilchrist, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for Southend-on-Sea RNLI, 07765875300 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.

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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