WATCH: Schoolboy blown out to sea in inflatable dinghy

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) has rescued an 11-year-old boy after he drifted more than a mile out to sea on an orange inflatable dinghy.

The boy’s family and a member of the public on the beach called 999 for the Coastguard as he was blown out to sea. The volunteer crew at Dungeness quickly launched and started searching the area.

Rescue footage released by the RNLI shows the moment the volunteers found the boy, who had drifted more than a mile out to sea in the inflatable boat.

The rescue is one of a number of incidents that have been highlighted by the RNLI as the summer holidays bring even more numbers of people to Britain’s coastline.

Earlier this month, Gosport lifeboat station issued warnings after its busiest start to a month ever and a record number of call outs.

Volunteer crew member, Stuart Richardson, says: “The boy’s family on the beach could see their son being blown offshore and realising the situation was quickly worsening did the right thing in calling 999 and asking for the Coastguard.

“He also did the right thing by staying seated in the dinghy until help arrived. When we reached him, he was very cold and scared but otherwise well and we warmed him up with blankets, biscuits, and a drink before reuniting him with his parents.

“I shouted out to him to stay still and stay on the boat, and he listened,” says the boy’s mother. “I can’t explain the emotions I went through when I saw him drifting out to sea. In that moment, I felt like I lost him.

“When the lifeboat crew brought my son back to me, I thanked them for saving his life and I can remember one crew member saying, ‘we didn’t save him, he saved himself by staying on the inflatable dinghy’. I can’t thank the crew at Dungeness enough for saving my child and bringing him back safely.”

Richardson adds: “He was found more than a mile offshore which shows just how quickly an offshore wind can blow an inflatable out to sea so we would encourage people visiting the coast to always check which way the wind is blowing before entering the sea.

“Also by choosing a lifeguarded beach where possible and swimming between the red and yellow flags it means our highly-trained lifeguards can keep a watchful eye over those enjoying the water.”

Last year, of the 41 lives saved by RNLI lifeguards 39 per cent were children under 13. RNLI lifesavers are expected to be busy during the school summer holidays, and recently teamed up with HM Coastguard to remind families to take care when visiting the coast.

The RNLI’s key water safety advice for 7-14 year-olds is:

• Stop and think – Always swim in a safe place.
• Stay together – Always swim with an adult, younger children and non-swimmers should always be within arm’s reach.
• Float – If you find yourself in trouble in the water, float on your back like a starfish.
• Call 999 in an emergency and ask for the Coastguard.