Man 'lucky to be alive' after clinging to capsized inflatable for 45 minutes

A man who was not wearing a lifejacket is 'lucky to be alive' after clinging to his capsized dinghy for 45 minutes until he was spotted and rescued.
The RNLI rescued a man who was not wearing a lifejacket and had been clinging to a capsized dinghy for 45 minutes. Photo: James Porter RNLI SkegnessThe RNLI rescued a man who was not wearing a lifejacket and had been clinging to a capsized dinghy for 45 minutes. Photo: James Porter RNLI Skegness
The RNLI rescued a man who was not wearing a lifejacket and had been clinging to a capsized dinghy for 45 minutes. Photo: James Porter RNLI Skegness

Two RNLI lifeboats were called to aid of the small vessel off shore from Chapel St Leonards yesterday afternoon.

A spokesman for the RNLI confirmed 'the lone crewman was in the water for approximately 45 minutes without a lifejacket'.

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Luckily, in spite of having no way of calling for assistance, there had been numerous 999 calls from members of the public and he had managed to keep hold of the vessel until the D class, inshore lifeboat arrived.

The dinghy was towed ashore by the RNLI. Photo: James Porter RNLI SkegnessThe dinghy was towed ashore by the RNLI. Photo: James Porter RNLI Skegness
The dinghy was towed ashore by the RNLI. Photo: James Porter RNLI Skegness

Both RNLI Lifeboats and the Coastguard rescue teams were quickly on scene and able to offer assistance

The casualty was taken on board the D class lifeboat where he was given a lifejacket and assessed for any injuries. He was taken ashore into the care of the Skegness team from UK Coastguard.

The small inflatable vessel was recovered by the Shannon class lifeboat and towed back to the safety of Skegness beach and later collected.

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Craig Hopkins, Senior Helmsman for Skegness RNLI Lifeboat, said: “I cannot stress how important it is to wear a lifejacket when out at sea.

"A lifejacket cannot save your life if it’s left on the beach, on this occasion the gentleman was very lucky to be alive."

For anyone who finds them self in trouble in the water, please remember that you should follow the RNLI’s lifesaving advice and ‘Float to Live’.

* The RNLI Skegness Fundraising Page was launched on Facebook following the cancellation of Flag Week and because there is little hope of being able to hold fundraising events until at least September 1. To make a donation, please visit the Facebook page.