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Whitstable RNLI and Dover Coastguard helicopter rescue two girls on paddleboard at Minster, Sheppey, after drifting out to sea

18:26, 26 August 2024

updated: 10:43, 27 August 2024

A teenager and a “frightened” seven-year-old girl had to be rescued after they were found a mile offshore on a paddleboard.

The Whitstable RNLI was called out yesterday (August 25) afternoon to Minster on Sheppey.

The Whitstable RNLI crew had to rescue two young girls on a paddleboard after they drifted offshore. Picture: RNLI/Ben Crosswell
The Whitstable RNLI crew had to rescue two young girls on a paddleboard after they drifted offshore. Picture: RNLI/Ben Crosswell
The emergency services on The Leas at Minster. Picture: Taylor Garrod
The emergency services on The Leas at Minster. Picture: Taylor Garrod

The crew was already at sea at around 4pm for an exercise when they were sent to the incident.

It also involved the Sheerness all-weather lifeboat and the Sheppey Coastguard Rescue Team, as well as the Dover Coastguard, which dispatched a helicopter from Lydd.

Ben Crosswell, Whitstable lifeboat helmsman said: “We arrived on scene and located the pair, two girls, about a mile offshore.

“They were cold, wet and the youngest was visibly frightened.

“The eldest had done a good job trying to stay calm and reassure the younger one.

B-Class lifeboat, Lewisco, was already at sea when the call at 4pm came in. Picture: RNLI/Chris Davey
B-Class lifeboat, Lewisco, was already at sea when the call at 4pm came in. Picture: RNLI/Chris Davey

“I spoke with the mother onshore who was so thankful and overwhelmed with relief when we brought them back.”

It comes after a family of five had to be rescued by the RNLI and coastguard after they became cut off by the tide.

Two parents and three children managed to climb partially up a cliff on Friday (August 23), but required help.

Yesterday’s incident was the 39th call of the year for the volunteer crews at Whitstable RNLI.

“The safety message here is regrettably the same one we find ourselves repeating,” Ben added.

RNLI crew members off Minster Leas beach. Picture: Taylor Garrod
RNLI crew members off Minster Leas beach. Picture: Taylor Garrod
On Friday, a family of five had to be rescued at Warden Point on the Island. Picture: RNLI/Chris Davey
On Friday, a family of five had to be rescued at Warden Point on the Island. Picture: RNLI/Chris Davey

“I would not recommend the use of lightweight leisure inflatables in the open sea, but if you do, ensure you have floatation devices, which the two girls had, a means of communication and that someone ashore is observing you.

“Most commonly it is the weather, wind and tide that is catching people out.

“This was a particularly windy day with an offshore breeze, a combination I would strongly advise against paddleboarding in.”

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