Margate RNLI rescues kite-surfer in trouble off Palm Bay

Margate RNLI

Margate’s RNLI inshore lifeboat rescued a kite-surfer who got into difficulties off the north Kent coast yesterday evening (Friday 26 May).

 The volunteer crew were called out after three kite-surfers had set out for an evening’s sail from Westgate-on-Sea. As they reached Palm Bay one of them experienced problems and his plight was spotted by a member of the public who alerted the coastguard.

The inshore lifeboat was tasked along with the coastguard rescue team from Margate. The lifeboat quickly found the kite-surfer and he was taken on board and landed back on the beach at Margate. He was reported to be ‘very tired and very grateful’ by Paul Hodson Margate lifeboat operations manager. The other two kite-surfers came ashore further to the east and met their colleague back at the lifeboat station.

Mr Hodson said: “The expression safety in numbers is an important lesson here as his plight would likely have been spotted by his two colleagues, thankfully a member of the public also noticed him in difficulties.

“Having the means of raising the alarm yourself is also good advice for kite-surfers and remember, if you see someone in trouble at sea or on the coastline dial 999 and ask for coastguard.”