Kite surfer rescued by off duty Exmouth RNLI lifeboat crew member
On Sunday 1 June just before 2pm an off duty Exmouth RNLI lifeboat crew member rescued a kite surfer, who’d become tangled up in a mooring buoy and was being pulled underwater, unable to detach from the kite.
James Edge, a volunteer crew member of Exmouth Lifeboat Station, was conducting his day job collecting a customer from their vessel when he observed a kite entangled with a mooring buoy. The situation appeared unusual as he could not spot the rider. James went to investigate the situation and discovered that the casualty was still attached to the kite and unable to detach, resulting in them being pulled underwater.
James promptly raised the alarm with the Coastguard and successfully extracted the casualty, bringing them aboard his boat. Once onboard he conducted a brief assessment of the casualty and promptly made best speed to the marina, where he was met by Exmouth RNLI’s D Class inshore boat, George Bearman II.
The lifeboat crew, assisted by Exmouth RNLI lifeguards, provided casualty care to the casualty until the arrival of paramedics, who then took over treatment.
The inshore lifeboat returned to Exmouth Lifeboat station and was washed down, refueled and restocked ready for the next shout.
It's important to always keep yourself safe when kitesurfing. Please remember to:
- Kite within your limitations
- Check forecast, current weather conditions and tide times
- Always kite with another person
- Always carry a means to call for help.
- Always wear a personal floatation device
- Tell someone else where you are going and when you’ll be back.
Notes to editors
- Exmouth lifeboat station has been operating since 1803. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to: https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/exmouth-lifeboat-station
- A library photo of Exmouth inshore lifeboat, George Bearman II being launched on exercise can be viewed at: https://source.rnli.org.uk/l/670d84725027e3be/
RNLI media contacts
For more information please telephone Lawrence Booth, RNLI volunteer Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer on 07515 522573 or [email protected], Dawn Robinson, RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07565 424093 or [email protected], Emma Haines, Regional Communications Manager on 07786 668847or [email protected] or contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.
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
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