Donate now

3 RNLI shouts, 9 casualties, 1 Lama, a Giant Duck and Carnival.

Lifeboats News Release

Whilst attending a Carnival, in a hat trick of shouts, 8 paddle boards, 9 people and an out of control Lama were rescued by Appledore RNLI.

RNLI/Sam Jenkins - Appledore RNLI Crew Member

Appleodre RNLI take part in their village carnival whilst attending 3 back to back shouts

Just before 3 pm Sunday 11 August, the volunteer crew of Appledore RNLI were interrupted from attaching their inflatable Quackers mascot (an enormous inflatable duck which had three people on board when it was rescued swimming out to sea at Westward Ho! last year) onto the boarding boat, to be used later in the afternoon in Appledore Carnival. An urgent request from the Coastguard asked for help with two paddle boarders, one of whom was in the water, being washed 600 metres out to sea with a F4/5 off shore wind and ebbing tide, obviously in difficulty. With many of the crew already at station, the inshore lifeboat, Glanely, rushed to their assistance. Just as the ladies were rescued back to the beach, another call came in; this time to a paddle boarder in difficulty off Putsborough, where it was even windier. This turned out to be two paddleboards, with a person in difficulty on each. Both these were rescued back to the beach and the lifeboat was stood down. This released some of the crew to hurry to join the start of the carnival with minutes to spare.

However, just as the lifeboat was almost back at station, coming passed Grey Sands, it was diverted again and sent back to Putsborough, again to a lone paddle boarder who had apparently been struggling to get to shore for over an hour. By the time the lifeboat arrived on scene, the one paddle boarder in difficulty had increased to two groups, one of two paddle boarders and one of three, all requiring assistance. These were all successfully rescued and returned to the beach. As the lifeboat tried to return to station for a third time, another diversion was required, this time to pick up an out of control inflatable Lama cartwheeling out to sea over the water! Luckily its owner was not with it, but unluckily the Lama did not arrive back to Appledore in time to take part in the carnival – this year!

All paddleboards were of the inflatable type.

As Appledore RNLI Lifeboat Station Manager Bob Meller explains: ‘The moral of the story is please do not take inflatables to sea. Please do not paddle board, especially on an inflatable, on an ebbing tide with an offshore wind. Please wear a buoyancy aid; many of these casualties were not.

Luckily all were safe, whilst the RNLI lifeguards were doing an excellent job in incredibly busy circumstances trying to keep everyone safe, in and by the water on a gloriously hot beach day. Be aware of the tides and winds before going in the water and keep to a lifeguarded beach. They will keep you safe, they know where is safe to swim, where the rip currents are and can get to you quicker than a lifeboat’.

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.

Categories