Windsurfer rescued by RNLI 2.5 miles out at sea shares story ahead of 999 Day
An experienced windsurfer who was thrown into the sea being rescued by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) has shared his frightening ordeal.
Ahead of 999 Day on Monday 9 September, a national day of recognition for the country’s emergency services, Carl Sawyer spoke of the importance of carrying a means of calling for help after needing to be rescued 2.5 miles out at sea when the boom of his windsurf snapped.
Exmouth RNLI volunteers launched their D class inshore lifeboat after Carl phoned 999 and asked for the Coastguard. The 51-year-old said if he didn’t have his phone, which was kept in a waterproof pouch, he would have been left drifting out to sea.
He said: ‘I normally windsurf quite far offshore, I’m quite familiar with those waters and you always have to be prepared. I always carry either a phone or a VHF radio.
‘My phone was my only lifeline, and I was quite calm because I had it. If I didn’t it would have been a very different story.
‘I stayed on my board so I wasn’t cold and when I could see the lifeboat lifted my sail so they could see me.’
Carl, a chimneysweep, called 999 after climbing back onto his board and asked for the Coastguard who were then able to task Exmouth RNLI.
However, it took volunteers 45 minutes to find Carl as he continued to drift out to sea. They were then able to get him in the boat and take him to the safety of the beach.
‘If you are intending to sail, windsurf or paddleboard you need to carry a means of calling for help,’ Carl added.
Exmouth RNLI volunteer, Mike Acred, said: ‘We always advise all water uses to have the right safety equipment and a method of communication.
‘Carl followed this advice to the letter and was therefore able to quickly seek help when his boom snapped. It is for this reason that we were able to find him and return him safely to land.’
Samantha Hughes, of the RNLI’s Water Safety Team, said: ‘We want people to have fun when heading out on the water, however incidents can happen for even the most experienced water users.
‘Always carry a means of calling for help such as a mobile phone in a waterproof pouch. In the event of an emergency, stay with your equipment, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.
‘Weather conditions, particularly offshore winds and strong tidal currents can make it more difficult or even impossible to return to the shore, so it is really important to check the forecast and tide times before you head out.
‘Remember to wear a well-fitted buoyancy aid or personal floatation device as this will help you float if you end up in the water unexpectedly.’
Notes to editors
· 999 Day is on the 9 of September and promotes the work of the emergency services, promotes using the emergency services responsibly, educates the public about basic lifesaving skills, and promotes the many career and volunteering opportunities available.
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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 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.
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 142,700 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.
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Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.