[S]t Bees RNLI volunteers were requested to launch by UK Coastguard on Sunday to reports of a paraglider in the sea near Parton, just north of Whitehaven.
St Bees lifeboat ‘Joy Morris MBE’ was launched at 2:00pm on Sunday 22 April after a member of the public had informed the Coastguard that a paraglider had landed in the sea near Parton.
The lifeboat arrived quickly at the scene where it was confirmed that the paraglider was in fact a kite surfer who did not require assistance. The RNLI volunteers carried out a search of the area, along with Whitehaven Coastguard to ensure it was the kite surfer that had been seen and with nothing found they were stood down. This was a false alarm with good intent.
Dick Beddows, St Bees RNLI Operations Manager said: “I would like to thank the vigilant member of public who saw what they thought was a genuine emergency and did the right thing by calling 999 and asking for the Coastguard.
“It is always better to be safe than sorry in these situations.”
