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Southwold RNLI launch to paddle boarder in distress

Lifeboats News Release

Southwold RNLI were paged at 08:10 on Thursday 31 July and tasked by HM Coastguard to locate and assist a paddle boarder in distress off the coast of Southwold.

The paddleboarder had launched from the Denes beach close to Southwold harbour but a strong ebb tide and offshore wind had propelled them almost 2 miles from their starting position. Fortunately they were carrying a mobile phone in a waterproof pouch and were able to call for assistance.

Southwolds Atlantic 85 Annie Tranmer was launched and proceeded quickly towards Southwold Pier, and located the paddle boarder around 1 mile east of Southwold Pier.

The casualty, a teenage girl was transferred to the lifeboat and her board and paddle recovered, before the Lifeboat returned to station.

Once ashore the teenager was given some warm clothes and handed over to the HM Coastguard shore team, before her parents arrived to much relief.

Southwold Helm Harry Cooper said, 'The paddle-boarder who had been pushed out to sea by the wind and tide was retrieved successfully by the crew. The individual involved did the right thing by staying with the paddleboard and waiting for help.

Having a mobile phone in a waterproof pouch was also incredibly helpful in calling for help and helping the crew locate the concerned parents and direct them to the lifeboat station to meet the boat.

This was great teamwork, and resulted in a good outcome that could have easily been far worse. '

The RNLI website provides safety advice for paddle boarding as well as many other coastal activities. https://rnli.org/safety/choose-your-activity/stand-up-paddle-boarding


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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