As you’ll see in the Social media post by Littlestone Lifeboat Station, a Kite was lost at sea on 21st June. This resulted in many Search & Rescue resources being used to try to find what was thought to be a missing kitesurfer. Thankfully, the owner contacted HM Coastguard many hours later and confirmed all was well.
Had the equipment been labelled, HM Coastguard could have reached out to the kitesurfer to quickly confirm whether they were safe, and could have then stood down the emergency services.
HM Coastguard offer free labels for watersports (and other maritime) equipment. Take a look here and order your free waterproof labels.
If you see someone in trouble in the water or on the coast.
- If you’re at a lifeguarded beach tell the lifeguard
- Or call 999 and ask for the Coastguard
- Don’t hang up – stay on the line and keep the person in sight
- Don’t enter the water, stay back from rough seas
- If the person is in the water tell them to float on their back with their arms and legs out and to stay as calm as possible – remember Float to Live
- Look for lifesaving equipment such as lifebelts or throwbags; hold onto the end of the rope before throwing it in
- If the person is unconscious and not breathing you may need to start CPR
- Don’t try and rescue a person or animal from cliffs or mud – call 999 and ask for the Coastguard