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Southend RNLI rescue five children near Shoebury Boom
Southend-on-Sea RNLI volunteers were tasked by HM Dover Coastguard at 4.45pm Sunday 23 August to a 999-call reporting five children out by the waterline at the Shoebury Boom, Shoebury East Beach.
With the tide rising, Southend RNLI volunteers launched the charity’s hovercraft H-004 Vera Ravine at 5pm and headed at top speed to the reported location at Shoeburyness.
Arriving on scene approximately half a mile offshore on the waters edge, the RNLI volunteers found the five children in good health. The casualties were taken onboard the hovercraft and given a welfare check.
A little cold the children were taken to shore where their parents and HM Southend Coastguard Rescue Team (Southend CRT) were waiting. After further health assessment and some safety advice from Southend CRT, all services were stood down.
Southend RNLI volunteer Commander Jonathan Charnock said: ‘Southend has a vast tidal flat area, at low tide whilst the water can be seen it can be over 1 mile from the shore. East Beach has the added danger of the MoD firing range to the east of the Boom.
‘The children were found on their return to shore however they could have come into real danger quickly. With no way of calling for help, improper footwear and an unfamiliarity with the area today’s call could have had a very different outcome.
‘If you do go onto the beaches of Southend, check out the local area, know where you can and can’t go. Tell someone your plan and a time, properly prepare and have a way of calling for help.’
Southend RNLI hovercraft returned to station at 5.45pm to be refuelled, rehoused and made ready for service.
If you see someone in trouble or get into trouble by the coast or at sea, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.
If you are planning a visit to the coast, always check the weather and tide times for the local area.
RNLI Media Contacts
Nigel Gilchrist, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for RNLI South East, [email protected]
Stella Sims, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for London and South East England, 07483 316675, [email protected]
Sam Haddad, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for London and South East England, 01202 137713, [email protected]
Julie Rainey, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for London and South East England, 07827 358256, [email protected]
RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789, [email protected]
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.
Learn more about the RNLI
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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.