RNLI Rescue Paddleboarder

A PADDLEBOARDER was successfully rescued following reports of a person encountering difficulties in the waters off the coast of Leigh.

HM Coastguard alerted the Southend RNLI on the afternoon of October 14 that an individual was in difficulty approximately half a mile out at sea, in the vicinity of Two Tree Island.

In response, the B-class Atlantic 85 lifeboat was swiftly dispatched to the person’s last known location.

To further aid in the search for the missing individual, a rescue helicopter was deployed, complementing the efforts of the Southend RNLI team.

It was determined that the paddleboarder had shifted their position eastward towards Chalkwell.

The successful mission concluded with the safe arrival of the individual at the Southend RNLI offshore station at 4:40 pm.

No medical assistance was required, and the rescued paddleboarder was reported to be in good health.

A spokesperson from RNLI Southend said: “The Coastguard helicopter Rescue 163 was operating in the area and tasked to assist in the search for the paddle boarder.

“Southend RNLI volunteers were given instructions to search further offshore and east of the initial reported position.

“A further update from HM Coastguard who were communicating with the casualty set the search area closer to Canvey Island. At 4.15pm the casualty was sighted by Coastguard helicopter Rescue 163 off Chalkwell on the south side of Marsh Sand.

“The Southend RNLI lifeboat, guided by Rescue 163, arrived at 4.22pm taking the casualty onboard.”

Picture by RNLI Nigel Gilchrist

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