Hoylake RNLI hovercraft was requested to launch by the UK Coastguard at 5:03pm yesterday to reports that a kite surfer appeared to be in difficulty two miles north of the lifeboat station.
The hovercraft ‘Hurley Spirit’ and her volunteer RNLI crew launched and headed to the water’s edge, where the crew carried out a shoreline search towards the casualty’s reported position.
Wirral Coastguard Rescue Team was also tasked and had located the first informant. With their assistance, the Coastguard guided the hovercraft towards the casualty’s position from the shore before losing sight of them.
The hovercraft was soon able to locate the casualty, who had made his own way ashore and required no further assistance.
Wirral Coastguard then asked the hovercraft to head further east across Leasowe Bay to check on two other kite surfers. The hovercraft met up with kite surfers and after speaking to them, the RNLI crew confirmed to the Coastguard that they were both safe and well.
The hovercraft was stood down and returned to the lifeboat station to be washed down, refuelled and made ready for service again.
If you or someone else gets into difficulty at the coast, always dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.
Image credit: RNLI Hoylake
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