
Southend-on-Sea RNLI volunteers paged to inflatable canoe drifting out to sea
On Thursday (19 September) Southend RNLI volunteers were tasked at 2.54pm by Dover Coastguard to an inflatable canoe with one person onboard drifting out to sea with a strong offshore breeze and ebbing tide near Jubilee beach Southend.
A vigilant man onshore had seen the canoe with one person onboard drifting out to sea and unable to return to shore. Acting quickly the man called 999 and asked for the Coastguard. Dover Coastguard tasked Southend RNLI and Coastguard helicopter Rescue 163 to search for the casualty.
Southend RNLI volunteers launched the charity’s D class inshore lifeboat D-818 Len Thorne GM DFC in clear skies and a 20mph northerly wind. The volunteer crew had visual on the inflatable canoe immediately approximately 1 kilometre offshore of Southend Sealife centre. The RNLI lifeboat arrived on scene at 3.15pm to find the casualty who was unable to return to the beach, cold and without personal safety equipment.
The volunteer lifeboat crew took the casualty and inflatable canoe onboard D-818, the casualty not needing immediate medical attention was returned to shore where Southend Coastguard rescue team were waiting.
Southend RNLI Helm said: ‘We would like to thank the vigilant man who spotted the canoe, he played a big part in saving the casualty. There was a strong offshore breeze pushing the canoe out to sea quite fast, the canoe would have been out of sight of shore within minutes’.
Southend-on-Sea lifeboat volunteers were stood down and returned to station at 3.40pm.
An offshore breeze can easily catch people out. The breeze might feel light on shore with protection from buildings and land, the sea state calm. The strength of the breeze becomes apparent the further out you go. Coupled up with an outgoing tide, the chances of getting safely back to shore reduce rapidly.
Always check the weather forecast and tide times for the area you are visiting. Take a mobile phone and waterproof case if you are venturing onto the water. Know your limits. If you get into difficulties or see someone in trouble, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.
Be aware of an offshore breeze.
For RNLI safety advice, click on the link: https://rnli.org/safety/choose-your-activity
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 operates two D class inshore lifeboats housed at both ends of Southend pier.
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
RNLI online
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.