Both Aldeburgh RNLI lifeboats respond to 999 call for swimmer in difficulty
Both Aldeburgh RNLI lifeboats respond to 999 call for swimmer in difficulty
Lifeboats News Release
Aldeburgh RNLI were tasked by the Coastguard yesterday to assist in a multi-agency search, following a 999 call from a member of the public who saw a swimmer in a bright green swim hat off the Aldeburgh coast that they thought was in distress.
RNLI/Guy Fleming
Aldeburgh all-weather and inshore lifeboats on exercise August 2023
RNLI inshore lifeboat, Susan Scott, was launched at 10am and started a search of the coastline close to the shore. The Coastguard helicopter joined the search around 11.30am for a broader sweep. The Aldeburgh RNLI relief all-weather lifeboat, the
Keep Fit Association, joined the search at 11.50am.
At 3.40pm the search was called off by the Coastguard with no outcome. However, when returning to the station, the all-weather lifeboat spotted a confident swimmer in a bright green swim hat some distance from the coast, heading for the place where the original 999 call was made.
A member of shore crew met the swimmer on the beach to discover he was on holiday and enjoys a tide-assisted swim twice a day. He walks to the start point without any additional clothing or towel; hence the lack of outer garments or towel found on the beach when the alarm was raised. He had left instructions with his wife for how long he expected to be and his route, but had not expected a member of the public to contact the Coastguard.
The crew were relieved for a positive outcome. Both lifeboats returned to station, were washed down, refuelled and ready again for service.
The RNLI advises that if you see someone in difficulty in the water to call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.
Notes to editors
• Aldeburgh lifeboat station has been operating since 1824 and has been part of the RNLI since 1852. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to: rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/aldeburgh-lifeboat-station
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.
