Southend RNLI volunteers launch to wing foiler in difficulties off Shoeburyness

With an ebbing tide and westerly breeze, Southend RNLI volunteers launched the charity's inshore rescue hovercraft H-004 Vera Ravine at 4.20pm and headed to the reported location guided by HM Coastguard Southend-on-Sea who had eyes on the casualty approximately 800 meters offshore west of Barge pier.

Once on scene RNLI volunteers took the casualty onboard the hovercraft. After giving the casualty a quick health check they returned the wing foiler and his equipment to West beach where the Coastguard rescue team were waiting with the casualties family.

Weather and tidal conditions can catch even the most experienced people out at times. RNLI and HM Coastguard volunteers are there for such events, ready to respond when the pager sounds.

Should you see anyone in trouble on or near the coast, don’t hesitate to dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard, that call could save someone’s life!

For further information please contact:

• Nigel Gilchrist. Lifeboat Press Officer at Southend-on-Sea RNLI [email protected] or 07765875300
• Hatti Mellor | 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 http://www.southendlifeboat.org/

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For more information, please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the RNLI News Centre.

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.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

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.