
Yarmouth RNLI tasked to assist four paddle boarders in difficulty
Yarmouth RNLI lifeboat was tasked by HM Coastguard on 6 September in response to a 999-call made by paddle boarders who had found themselves stranded on a secluded beach east of Freshwater Bay, where one had a suspected broken ankle.
Yarmouth RNLI crew pagers sounded at 1:02pm and assembled quickly as reports had come in that four paddle boarders had called for help when one had misplaced their footing and had injured themselves and were unable to return to their base at Freshwater Bay.
Once on scene by 1:30pm, the decision was made to launch the All-weather lifeboat’s sister vessel, formally named “Y boat”, with three members of the Yarmouth RNLI crew to join two crew members from Lymington Lifeboat who were already on scene, five minutes prior and waded to the beach to assist the casualties.
Along with Lymington RNLI crew, Yarmouth RNLI crew members assessed the casualties. The crews administered pain relief and immobilised the casualty’s suspected broken ankle to prevent any further injury.
The decision was then made alongside rescue helicopter 175, that these two casualties would be winched up onboard the aircraft and transferred to the top of the cliff in the bay, where they were met by local ambulance crews from St Mary’s Hospital and Needles and Ventnor HM Coastguard teams who were on scene throughout the entire scenario, commanding the onshore activities.
The RNLI crew then transferred the remaining two paddle boarders onto the Y boat, then on to Lymington ILB B-882, who then transferred them onto the All-weather lifeboat 17-25 to then make passage back to Yarmouth Harbour, where they were to be met by the Needles Coastal Rescue team.
Yarmouth Lifeboat began her post recovery checks, kit was restocked and washed down, and a member of the Yarmouth crew then offered to take the two casualties back to Freshwater to recover the rest of their processions. Once collected, they were then able make their way back home.
Yarmouth RNLI lifeboat was marked as ready for service at 4:20pm
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
Notes to editors
- Photo attached – 17-25 alongside rescue 175 taken from footage by Martin Mowlam
- Yarmouth RNLI Lifeboat 17-25 Eric and Susan Hiscock ‘Wanderer’ came into service in 2001, prior to that Yarmouth RNLI had an Arun Class Lifeboat 52-08 Joy and John Wade which was in service for 23 years.
- Lymington RNLI Lifeboat B-882-David Bradley has been in service for over 50 years, where an inshore lifeboat has covered an area of the western Solent. Six awards have been presented to members of the lifeboat crew for gallantry.
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● Hebe Gregory, Yarmouth RNLI Trainee Lifeboat Press Officer [email protected]
● Paul Dunt, Regional Media Officer (South East), 0207 6207426, 07785 296252
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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 over 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and, in a normal year, 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 142,700 lives.
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.