MCA Press Release

Press Notice No: 135-06
Thursday, May 18, 2006
Posted 18:59 GMT

WINDSURFER RESCUED IN TORBAY

At 2:40pm Brixham Coastguard received a 999 call from a windsurfer who had lost contact with his friend whilst windsurfing in Torbay, East Devon.

The windsurfer who made the call to Brixham Coastguard had taken an hour to struggle to shore and make the emergency call.

Brixham Coastguard tasked the Torbay lifeboat, the Torbay inshore lifeboat and Coastguard rescue teams from Torbay and Berryhead. Brixham Coastguard also requested a rescue helicopter which was scrambled to the scene from Culdrose Naval base to assist with the search.

The search conditions worsened, with heavy offshore winds and an outgoing tide so Brixham Coastguard contacted the lifeboat teams from Exmouth and Teignmouth to the scene for further assistance.

At 5pm after a vast search of the sea and coastline the missing windsurfer was located in the water clinging onto a buoy at Hollicombe, Torquay. The Torbay lifeboat recovered him and transferred him to the rescue helicopter. He was them taken to Torbay hospital where he is receiving medical attention.

Brixham Coastguard, Watch Manager, Alf Tupper says,

We are very pleased with the outcome of this considerable search effort. The weather conditions in the area were westerly force 6 to gale force 8. Whilst this might be exciting for windsurfing, the offshore winds are not favourable and Coastguard strongly advise windsurfers to be extremely cautious when considering windsurfing in these conditions.

For more press releases click on links below;

Dramatic cliff rescue 7th May 2006

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