Thankfully, no harm came to the paddleboarders
The volunteer crew at Bridlington RNLI launched after reports of two paddleboarders needing assistance. On Tuesday, August 5, the HM Coastguard requested the immediate launch after reports of ‘ two paddleboarders being blown away from the beach at Barmston’.
Bridlington RNLI’s inshore lifeboat (ILB) Ernie Wellings launched at 2.07pm. The volunteer crew arrived on the scene promptly and helped two people.
The paddleboarders had tied the boards together. This is a technique commonly used to stablise paddleboards in choppy water.
The paddleboarders were trying to make it back to shore, but this was made difficult as one of the oars had broken. It was decided to take both onboard the ILB and escort them and their boards back to the beach at Barmston.
They were returned safely back on the shore and the ILB and its volunteer crew headed back to the Bridlington RNLI lifeboat station. The ILB was then removed, washed down, refuelled and was back in service.
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Sarah Berrey, helm of the ILB, said: “Paddleboarding is a great activity that can be enjoyed by all the family. Thankfully, on this occasion no harm came to both paddleboarders, who despite having correctly tethered themselves together, had the misfortune of an oar breaking and made progress almost impossible. At this time of year, it is always worth reminding the public the safety advice from the RNLI before heading out on a paddleboard or kayak.”
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Advice from the RNLI
The RNLI has released advice on how to stay safe. This includes:
- 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.