This in from the Sandown and Shanklin Independent Lifeboat. In their own words. Ed
The Sandown and Shanklin Independent Lifeboat was asked for an immediate launch by the coastguard at 19:46 yesterday (Thursday) following a 999 call reporting a kite surfer in difficulty and drifting in Sandown Bay off Yaverland.
Following an immediate launch, the person in difficulty was swiftly found within just three minutes. It was found the kite surfer was still connected to his kite just off Yaverland beach having drifted with the current, however luckily a passing tender with three persons on board had spotted the kite surfer in difficulty, got him alongside their tender and was making their way back to shore with the surfer in tow upon arrival of the lifeboat.
Thanking them for their assistance, lifeboat took over the tow with a crew member having been placed into the water to assist the kite surfer ashore. Thankfully, the kite surfer was uninjured.
Bembridge Coastguard Rescue Team responded to the scene, collating details of the man in difficulty.
Thanks to public for calls
We would like to thank the public for the 999 calls as with the light failing this search could have taken a lot longer, and many thanks to the local fisherman that had spotted him and alerted the crew to the position.
The lifeboat and her crew returned back to the station before being refuelled, washed down and re-housed ready for the next tasking.
