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Kayaker lost at sea saved by Shoreham RNLI lifeboat crew

Lifeboats News Release

He got into difficulty in the water.

Shoreham all weather lifeoat in action

RNLI/Michelle Tugwell

Shoreham all weather lifeboat in action
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"I've never been so pleased to see a big orange boat coming towards me"... These were the words of one grateful man whose life was saved by the Shoreham lifeboat crew.

The casualty had been on the water for more than six hours in an inflatable kayak after he went for a paddle off Hove on Tuesday afternoon (13 June) and was then blown out to sea in the offshore wind.

The Shoreham all weather lifeboat was launched at 7.50pm after his friends who were concerned for his safety phoned the coastguard. Our crew located him three miles south of Shoreham, lost, cold, wet and exhausted. He was not wearing a lifejacket or buoyancy aid.

He was rescued into the lifeboat along with his kayak, checked over by the crew and then taken back to the lifeboat station where he was warmed up and reunited with his friends.

He said: "It looked like a picture perfect afternoon for going out on the water. I can't believe how the conditions changed, it was so windy and the waves were much bigger than I imagined. I am so grateful to the lifeboat crew for saving me."

Please Respect the Water.

The weather and sea conditions may look fine but they can quickly change.

Be prepared and if in doubt, don't go out.

If you see someone in trouble on the water dial 999 and ask for the coastguard.

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 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 142,700 lives.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter 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.

About the author

Michelle Tugwell
Lifeboat Press Officer, Shoreham Lifeboat Station

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