Jet-skiers should consider carrying mini-flares

29/06/2020

Jet-skiers should consider carrying mini-flares and other marine safety equipment, says a Coastguard official.

The comment came after a jet skier was rescued by RNLI personnel off the Southend-on-Sea coast one afternoon in June.

Southend lifeboat crews were paged after reports of a jet ski going aground close to Deadman’s Island in the Swale.

HM Coastguard requested Southend RNLI hovercraft assist. Rescuers found the casualty on the mudflats. They returned the person safely to shore where the local coastguard team was waiting.

Nigel Woolley, HM Coastguard’s senior coastal operations officer for the area, says jet-skiers should consider carrying mini-flares and also other marine safety equipment.

Graham Slack, volunteer Lifeboat Operations Manager, says, “With the temperatures improving in recent weeks, we’re seeing an increase in people taking to the water for a variety of watersports. Southend RNLI and the volunteer crew would ask everyone to consider safety precautions carefully when entering the water, and to ensure they behave in a respectful and responsible way to ensure everyone’s safety. The charity’s volunteers are continuing to rescue anyone who finds themselves in difficulty.”

Southend RNLI is one of only four stations in the UK with a hovercraft.

The image shows RNLI Southend H-004 Duncombe hovercraft by Southend Pier and it is also provided by the RNLI.