UPDATED: A group of 3 girls blown out to sea on inflatables have sparked a lifeboat rescue operation in Ryde this evening (Monday).
Solent Coastguard were made aware of objects in the water off Appley Beach in Ryde shortly before 17:30, prompting the tasking of Ryde Inshore Rescue to launch their second lifeboat ‘Ryde Rescue 2’ amid fears persons were in difficulty.
The volunteer lifeboat organisation have discovered that the objects are inflatables and have recovered them from the water around a mile from the shore,
HM Coastguard’s Ryde Initial Response Team have made contact with 3 individuals, who say they were blown out to sea before abandoning their inflatables and making their way back to dry land. They have been given safety advice.
A spokesperson has said:
“Inflatables are fun but can be dangerous – be very careful and come ashore if the wind or tide becomes difficult.
“A wind blowing off the land makes the sea look calm, flat and apparently safe but it can sweep an inflatable out to sea very swiftly.
“If you do leave something at sea, let the Coastguard, local lifeboat station or lifeguards know and of course if you or someone else gets into difficulty at the coast, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard”.
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UPDATE: Ryde Rescue 2 has been rehoused and made ready for service. Ryde Initial Response Team have now stood down from the incident.
