Bridlington RNLI volunteers rescue paddleboarder at Fraisthorpe

At 2.58pm on Sunday (25 May) the volunteer crew from Bridlington RNLI were requested by HM Coastguards to immediately launch, after reports of a paddleboarder who was in the water after becoming separated from his board at Fraisthorpe. Bridlington RNLI’s relief inshore lifeboat (ILB) Dorothy Katherine Barr III was launched at 3.12pm with the volunteer crew of three heading for the location at best speed in a strong south westerly wind blowing off-shore.

The volunteer crew arrived on scene within nine minutes and recovered the casualty from the water, who was taken aboard the ILB and escorted back to the Bridlington RNLI lifeboat station, arriving back on the beach by 3.31pm.

The casualty, who was suffering from extreme cold, was taken into the lifeboat station, where they took a warm shower and given time to recover before being handed over to the NHS Humber Ambulance Service who took the casualty to hospital for a further check-up.

Sarah Berrey, helm of the ILB, who incidentally was on her first afloat tasking as a helm said ‘Great outcome for the paddleboarder, who despite trying to swim back with their board for nearly an hour, was three quarters of a mile off shore and being blown further out to sea due to the strong wind. We were able to locate the casualty with the assistance of the HM Coastguard team who had kept a visual on them as they were being blown out to sea.

Once recovered onto the RNLI Lifeboat, the casualty was given the appropriate casualty care as they were exhausted, very cold and had possibly inhaled water after going under the surface several times, so the decision was made to return the casualty to the boathouse to warm up before being transferred to the NHS Ambulance Service. The casualty was taken to hospital but was released a few hours later after a thorough check up.

Thankfully, the casualty had gone out with a friend who had the means to raise the alert for assistance and with great multi agency work, along with the continual training we do, this turned out to have a positive outcome’. The casualty has since passed on their gratitude to all the agencies involved in the rescue.

The RNLI urges anyone heading out on a paddleboard or kayak to be prepared:

· Always wear a buoyancy aid or lifejacket.

· Check the weather and tide conditions – offshore winds can quickly sweep you out to sea.

· Carry a means of calling for help – a mobile phone in a waterproof pouch or a VHF radio.

· Tell someone where you are going and when you will be back.

· If you are in trouble, try and stay with your board and call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

RNLI Media contacts

For more information, please contact Mike Milner, RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer: [email protected] or call:07751-054052.

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.