Sunday 9 July 2017

Take Care with Inflatables

Blow up boats and toys are great fun in the swimming pool, but we do not recommend their use at the seaside. This is because they can easily be blown out to sea.

Liz Hanson, Senior Maritime Operations Officer for UK Coastguard says,
“We’ve recently tasked numerous assets to investigate several reports of persons in distress on inflatables - of particular interest - a large inflatable Swan off Bembridge and a large inflatable Unicorn off Swanage. Thankfully both were recovered with no persons in distress. If your inflatable does blow out to sea, please let us know by calling 02392 552100.”

The Coastguard would like to encourage everyone to enjoy our British coastline safely. Go to a lifeguarded beach if possible, stay within the flagged area and listen to the lifeguards’ advice. If people do find themselves being swept out to sea, our advice is to stay with the boat or toy and shout for help, waving arms if possible. Do not attempt to swim for shore if out of depth. Ideally make sure that someone ashore is keeping an eye on you and ideally keep the inflatable on a length of line.  If you see anyone in trouble, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.
Rainbow the Unicorn was heading due East past the Pier on Thursday night when she was recaptured.

The family whose unicorn blew out at Swanage commented how calm the evening was with no trace of wind and no noticeable tide, but the incident happened so quickly that although they tried to swim after it, it was very soon out of range.

Fortunately for them, the unicorn's escape bid was watched by the Coastguard Team who were training at Peveril Point and by the volunteers at the Swanage NCI.  Local fisherman Doug from Swanage Sea Fishing kindly put to sea and rescued the mythical creature before further alarm calls were raised.

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