Person Blown 400m Out to Sea on Inflatable Unicorn Near Busy Shipping Lanes
Unicorn Drift Sparks Dramatic Rescue
A lifeboat and coastguard team swung into action after a person was swept over 400 metres from the shore on an inflatable unicorn near one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes on Monday.
Luckily, a passing kayaker came to the rescue, staying with the stranded individual until the Gosport Independent Lifeboat arrived and brought them safely back to shore.
Inflatable Chaos Hits South Coast
The inflatable mishaps didn’t stop there. On 2 July alone, coastguards tackled over 15 separate rescue incidents involving inflatables along the south coast. The good weather meant more people stayed out longer, leading to 18 search operations related to rogue inflatables.
Coastguard Issues Stark Warning
HM Coastguard Duty Controller Piers Stanbury slammed the unsafe use of inflatables at sea:
“We’ve had people rescued from multiple beaches along Hampshire and Sussex, all caught out by inflatables. Thankfully, everyone has been brought to safety. But these devices are not suitable for coastal waters.”
“Tides, winds and sudden weather changes can quickly sweep inflatables out to sea, putting lives at serious risk. They belong in swimming pools – not the open sea.”
Beachgoers Urged to Think Twice
- Don’t take inflatables to the beach.
- Use them only in safe, controlled environments like swimming pools.
- Remember: fun on the water can quickly turn deadly.
Coastguard and RNLI volunteers have had their time wasted responding to abandoned inflatables, searching to make sure no one was trapped or in danger. This summer, keep safe and keep inflatables off the coast!
