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Lymington RNLI diverted from training exercise to 2 paddle boarders

Lifeboats News Release

On Monday the 4 of September the Lymington RNLI voluntary crew launched at 7pm on a regular exercise.

Lymington lifeboat

RNLI/Suzanne Brown

Lymington lifeboat

The inshore lifeboat the Atlantic 85 David Bradley headed out of the Lymington River and towards Hurst Castle. At 7.32pm the Coastguard made an urgent call to the lifeboat on the VHF to reports of a 999 call, where two people on paddleboards at the Needles being swept out to sea.

With a strong ebbing tide and strong easterly winds and the casualties were being taken quickly offshore. The Lymington lifeboat managed to reach the casualties within six minutes with the help of Needles Coastguard rescue team, who could see the casualties from the shore. The casualties were then recovered to the lifeboat with their paddleboards and returned to the shore at Allum Bay. The lifeboat was then stood down by the Coastguard and returned to normal exercise.

The helm James Douch said 'These two casualties were very lucky to have signal on their mobile phones, or this could have been a very different situation. With the sun setting, wind and tide conditions, they could have been quickly swept out to sea without anyone being aware.'

Helm James Douch, Greg Pachany, Ollie Janson, Piers Horobin.

Stand-up paddle boarding has become an increasingly popular pastime and water sport.

The RNLI has put some simple tips together to improve your time, and safety whilst out on the water on a paddle board whether you’re a total beginner or a more experienced paddle boarder which include:

· Wearing a buoyancy aid.

· Carrying your phone in a waterproof pouch.

Wearing the correct leash.

· Avoiding offshore winds.

As well as several other useful tips, all of which can be found at www.rnli.org/safety/choose-your-activity/stand-up-paddle-boarding


Suzanne Brown, Lifeboat Press Officer, Lymington Lifeboat Station (07711) 393910 [email protected].uk

Paul Dunt, Regional Media Officer, SE and London (07785) 296252 [email protected]

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.

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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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