Southend-on-Sea RNLI volunteers launch into the teeth of storm Bert

At near low tide with very strong southerly winds gusting to severe gale force 9, Southend RNLI volunteers launched B-885 at 11.33am. They were tasked to search west of Southend pier along the Ray channel and shoreline after a kitesurfer had been seen having difficulties.

The RNLI volunteers carried out the search with nothing found, the volunteer crew then spoke to other surfers in the area, nobody had been seen in difficulties by the surfers or reported missing. Southend Coastguard rescue team also carried out a search from the shore with nothing found. HM Coastguard stood the volunteers down at 12.15pm.

Volunteer Helm David Hopper said: ‘The conditions were lively out there, but with very good visibility we were able to carry out an effective search for the kitesurfer, this turned out to be a false alarm with good intent. If you see someone in trouble, call 999 and as for the Coastguard’.

B-885 Julia and Angus Wright returned to station with further checking along Southend pier structure, arriving at 12.33pm. The volunteers washed, refuelled and made B-885 ready for service before heading home.

The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea, funded by generous public donations. On call 24 hours a day 365 days a year, the RNLI are ready to help anyone in trouble on the coast and at sea.

For RNLI safety advice on kitesurfing click on the link: https://rnli.org/safety/choose-your-activity/kitesurfing

Notes to editors

• Southend-on-Sea lifeboat station has been operating since 1879. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to: https://southendlifeboat.org/
• Southend-on-Sea RNLI Atlantic 85 Julia and Angus Wright is stationed at the end of Southend pier, launched by davit.

RNLI media contacts

• For more information please contact: Nigel Gilchrist, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for Southend-on-Sea RNLI, 07765875300 or [email protected],
• Hatti Mellor | RNLI Regional Communications Manager – South East, [email protected]
• Julie Rainey, Regional Communications Lead - South East, on 07827 358 256 or email [email protected]
• For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789

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For more information, please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the RNLI News Centre.

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 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.

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.