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Paddleboarder visits Walmer lifeboat station to thank volunteers
On returning from exercise on Sunday, Walmer RNLI crew were met by one of the paddleboarders they had assisted last Thursday, 20 August.
Volunteers had launched on the station’s D Class lifeboat Duggie Rodbard II at 6.53pm that evening following a request from HM Coastguard to two paddleboarders reportedly in difficulty off Walmer Castle.
On arrival the crew carried out a brief health check to confirm there were no injuries. After taking the casualties and their paddleboards on to the lifeboat, they were taken back to the slipway near Kingsdown.
Speaking on their return, helm Luke Curry said: ’Due to sea conditions, it was decided safer to beach the lifeboat and we handed the two casualties into the care of the Deal and Langdon Coastguard Rescue teams’.
The lifeboat was recovered at station by dedicated shore crew at 7.23pm.
On Sunday, the three crew, helm Luke, along with Ben Winslade and Stuart Chivers were greeted by Jessica, one of the paddleboarders they had assisted. She wished to come to the station to personally speak to the crew.
She thanked them for their patience, expertise, kindness and good humour saying what could have been a frightening experience for her and her brother a safe and calm one, and somehow good fun!
Notes to editors
Walmer lifeboat station was established in 1856.
It currently operates two inshore lifeboats – a B Class Atlantic 85 Hounslow Branch and a smaller D Class Duggie Rodbard II.
Crews have received 28 Awards for Gallantry
To find out more about Walmer lifeboat station go to https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/walmer-lifeboat-station
RNLI Media Contacts
Christopher Winslade, 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.
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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.