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Bay Botch: Man Gets Into Difficulty In Shanklin As Lifeguards Come To The Rescue

Yesterday (Sunday August 18) saw Isle of Wight lifeguards called out to an unusual task in Shanklin.

At approximately 4.20pm the independent lifeguard service, operating in Ryde and Sandown, was alerted by HM Coastguard that a man was in difficulty off of Shanklin, which is outside of its usual patrol zone.

The team took the decision to deploy the RWC (jet ski) to Shanklin, along with the ATV (quad bike) along the shoreline.

When the Lifeguard on the ATV arrived in Shanklin, Bembridge Mobile (HM Coastguard) had just arrived on scene and highlighted the gentleman who was out at sea on a small blue inflatable dingy.

He was so far out, he wasn’t visible from the shoreline without the use of binoculars.

The man was brought back to Shanklin beach, where a Lifeguard and the Coastguards were there to greet him and check he was okay.

He was fine, just very shaken up, saying to the Lifeguard:

"I am so grateful, I was shouting and shouting knowing nobody could hear me, so I started trying to wave at a passing plane.

"I didn’t think anybody was coming to save me. I was so pleased to see the Lifeguard.”

His wife, who was with the Coastguards on the shore, was very tearful when re-united with him.

Todd Miller, beach manager, said:

“The gentlemen was so far out I couldn’t see him from the shore in Shanklin without the binoculars.

"Once sighted, we quickly retrieved him with our jet ski and rescue sled and brought him back to the shore.

"As always I am very proud of my team, and I am glad we were able to bring him back swiftly and safely.

"We did suggest the gentleman use the ferries when he next wants to make his way to Dover."

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