Had capsized in windy conditions near Strand-on-the-Green

Chiswick RNLI have released video footage of a rescue they undertook last week (16th April).

Two young rowers capsized in windy conditions off Strand on the Green. With some difficulty, they managed to climb into the accompanying boat of their rowing coach.

When it appeared that the coach’s engine had stalled, a passer-by dialled 999 and called the Coastguard who immediately dispatched Chiswick RNLI lifeboat which was already on exercise at Richmond.

The charity’s lifeboat arrived within minutes to find the boat and its occupants, including the rowers who had previously capsized, in difficulty and drifting on the ebb tide towards the piers of Kew rail bridge.

It was clear that the two rowers were already cold, so they were quickly taken on board the lifeboat by the volunteer crew and given blankets.

They were taken to safety at their boathouse and needed no further medical attention. The volunteer lifeboat crew then went on to retrieve the twin oar, which was caught in the trees and returned it to its base.

Chiswick RNLI helmsman Glen Monroe said: ‘It was important that we were able to use the speed of the lifeboat to reach the young rowers quickly, as they were soaked through and getting colder by the minute in the strong easterly wind.’

Chiswick RNLI lifeboat is the second busiest in the UK and Ireland; since starting service in 2002, it has attended over 2700 incidents and rescued over 1400 people.

April 20, 2015