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Bembridge RNLI rescues paddleboarder drifting offshore in choppy conditions
Bembridge RNLI’s D-Class Sue (D-912) was launched on Thursday 26 June at 8pm after reports that a paddleboarder was in difficulty off Hope Beach, Shanklin.
Although conditions were choppy with force 2 to 3 west-south-westerly winds, the three crew onboard reached the location while the local Coastguard Rescue Team at Hope Beach maintained a visual on the casualty.
Once on scene Bembridge RNLI assessed the situation quickly and carried out an initial check of the casualty. The paddleboarder was exhausted and cold, struggling to breathe and reporting chest pains, a decision was made to urgently request an ambulance and arranged to meet paramedics at the closest point, Yaverland Beach.
The crew’s immediate priority once the casualty was safe on the D-Class was to keep them warm, reassure and calm them down. ILB Crew, Amy Attrill, who was on her first shout since qualifying as ILB crew, said: “It felt intense from the start and I’ll be honest, it was emotional. Knowing there was a paddleboarder drifting out and not being able to see them easily due to poor lighting and choppy seas once we were on scene. When we finally located them, it brought tears to my eyes. It genuinely felt like searching for a needle in a haystack. There was real comfort in knowing that, in that moment, the casualty was safe and could be brought back to their family. In these situations, anything can change in the blink of an eye out there, and it made me realise that without the skills and teamwork of everyone involved, they could easily have drifted much further and been lost.”
D-Class Sue and crew were stood down following a handover to ambulance services and returned to station by 9.20pm.
Bembridge Lifeboat Operations Manager, John Keyworth said: “The crew did not have the easiest transit to the casualty’s position. The short, sharp chop experienced when rounding Bembridge Ledge and continuing towards the casualty is not pleasant to ride in. To arrive on scene after travelling around five nautical miles in those conditions and then deal with a very frightened and cold teenager who was reporting other medical issues, was very well handled by the crew.’
Shouts like this highlight how important it is to follow safety guidelines when enjoying the beach and sea.
Wear a buoyancy aid. A paddleboard can drift faster than you can swim. A buoyancy aid will help keep you afloat if you fall in, become tired or are separated from your board.
Always use a leash. A leash keeps you connected to your board, which is your largest flotation device. Without it, even a light breeze can push the board out of reach within seconds.
Check the weather and wind direction. Offshore winds are one of the biggest risks for paddleboarders. If the wind is blowing out to sea, do not launch.
Carry a means of calling for help. Take a mobile phone in a waterproof and keep it on your person rather than attached to the board.
Tell someone your plan. Let someone know where you are going and when you expect to return. If your plans change, update them.
Stay close to shore if you are inexperienced. Paddle within a short distance of the beach and avoid deep water, channels and areas with strong tidal flow.
Know your limits. Fatigue, cold water and changing conditions can escalate quickly. Turn back early if you are unsure.
If you get into difficulty, stay with your board. Make yourself visible and call for help. Dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.
RNLI Media Contacts
For further information, please contact:
Laura Campos, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for Bembridge RNLI, [email protected]
Jess Curtis, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for London and South East England, 07483 488243, [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.