A dramatic rescue unfolded off the east coast of Scotland after a person attempted to sail to an island using an inflatable mattress, leading to a nearly 90-minute ordeal in icy waters.
The Perilous Crossing Attempt
Volunteers from the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) Queensferry station were alerted at approximately 9:18am on Sunday following reports of an individual in difficulty. The casualty was stranded in the chilly waters of the Firth of Forth, east of Cramond Island.
The lifeboat crew launched immediately and raced to the scene. They successfully recovered the person, who had been exposed to the 7C water for close to an hour and a half. Upon reaching the shore, the individual was handed over to the care of paramedics and coastguard teams.
Lifeboat Crew's Stern Safety Warning
Following the operation, the rescuers emphasised how fortunate the outcome was. Volunteer helm Stewart Atkinson stated the team were "lucky" to have reached the casualty when they did, as the person was "extremely cold" and drifting further out to sea due to the tide and offshore wind.
He issued a clear warning to the public: "This incident highlights that blow-up toys and airbeds are designed for pools, not the sea where they can quickly be blown offshore."
Atkinson provided essential safety advice for anyone considering entering the water:
- Always check the weather forecast and tide conditions.
- Be aware that conditions can deteriorate rapidly further from shore.
- Always wear a Personal Flotation Device.
- Ensure you have clothing suitable for the forecasted weather.
- If you get into trouble, call 999 immediately and ask for the Coastguard.
A Tragic Context of Recent Coastal Incidents
This rescue comes after a series of serious and fatal incidents in UK coastal waters over the recent Christmas and New Year period. These tragedies underscore the inherent dangers of the sea, even close to shore.
On Christmas Day, two men got into trouble at sea in Budleigh Salterton, Devon, and remain missing. The new year began with further loss; swimmer Jonathan Lovett, 51, from Kettering, died after getting into difficulty near Brighton's Palace Pier on 1 January.
In a heartbreaking incident in Withernsea on 2 January, 67-year-old Mark Ratcliffe lost his life while attempting to rescue a mother and daughter, Sarah Keeling, 45, and Grace Keeling, 15. Sarah's body was recovered later that evening, but Grace is still missing, with police searches ongoing.
