Southend RNLI volunteers respond to reports of a person in the water

In good weather conditions the RNLI volunteers launched their inshore rescue lifeboat D-904 Sue Sorotos at 3.30pm. Heading to the reported position at best speed and arriving moments later to find a distressed male who had fallen out of his kayak with another kayaker standing by him.

A Coastguard helicopter that was close by attended the scene to keep eyes on the situation. Southend RNLI volunteers recovered the casualty giving a welfare check while taking him to shore where an ambulance was standing by.

Southend RNLI volunteer Nigel Gilchrist said: ‘Our volunteers responded extremely quick to their pagers requesting an immediate launch, launching D-904 in just five minutes although there was a very slight delay due to heavy traffic on Southend seafront.

‘The volunteers carried out an outstanding service in very short time ensuring the safety of the casualty. The vigilance of the two members of public who reported the person in distress also undoubtedly played a major part with the safe recovery of the casualty’.

Southend RNLI inshore lifeboat then continued back out to recover the casualty’s kayak which was found anchored a little further offshore and then returned to station at 4pm.

The ambulance crew brought the casualty to the RNLI inshore station where HM Southend Coastguard rescue team were also standing by with local police officers. The casualty was given further health check and released requiring no further assistance.

Southend-on-Sea RNLI would like to thank the two vigilant members of public for acting quickly after seeing the casualty in trouble.

If you see someone in trouble by the coast or at sea, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard. This incident highlights, that 999 call could save lives.

For further information please contact:

• Nigel Gilchrist. Lifeboat Press Officer at Southend-on-Sea RNLI [email protected] or 07765875300
• Jess Curtis RNLI Regional Communications Manager – South East, [email protected]
• For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789

Notes to Editors:

• Southend RNLI is one of the busiest coastal stations across the UK and Republic of Ireland.
• Southend RNLI cover approximately fifteen miles of shore from Shoeburyness to Canvey and beyond.
• For more information, please visit: https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/southend-on-sea-lifeboat-station

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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, 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 is the charity that 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 146,700 lives.

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