Ramsgate RNLI launch to the aid of three paddle boarders in trouble.
On Tuesday the volunteer crew of Ramsgate RNLI were heading out on planned exercises when a call came through from HM Coastguard that there was two girls on a paddle board in trouble by the entrance to the River Stour.
Both the station Tamar lifeboat Diamond Jubilee and the relief Tamar lifeboat Victor Freeman were taking part in the exercises on Tuesday 13 May when the call came through from HM Coastguard at 6pm.
The station lifeboat Diamond Jubilee continued with the exercise as they had trainees onboard, sending the relief lifeboat with a fully trained crew out to the paddle board.
The wind had built up suddenly pushing the board out to sea, but the experienced boarders has taken the precaution of carrying a mobile phone in a waterproof bag so had called HM Coastguard themselves.
Once the volunteer RNLI crew took them onboard and wrapped them in blankets, the girls advised that there was another person on a board in trouble who had been swept towards the shore.
The lifeboat proceeded to the second board where one crew member laid down on the deck holding the board to provide stability allowing the boarder to pulled onto the lifeboat.
They were all returned to Ramsgate Lifeboat station where they were handed into the care of the Coastguard Team.
Coxswain Ian Cannon, said ‘ The paddle boarders had taken the precaution of carrying a means of communication with them, without this it could have been a very different outcome.’
Karen Cox Ramsgate Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer Tel: 07779848431 Email :
[email protected]
Hatti Mellor RNLI National Media Manager Tel tel: 07724801305 Email:
[email protected]
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