16/02/2024 Port wall rescue at Zeebrugge. ๐จ
At 6.20pm rescuers were urgently called. An occupant of an apartment building on the embankment at Zeebrugge had spotted a kiter in trouble.
Shortly afterwards, the lifeboat was already on its way to Zeebrugge. The kiter had managed to pull himself to safety on the large slippery blocks of the harbour wall.
The lifeboat's shallow draft allowed rescuers to approach close enough to throw a life buoy with line. The kiter was still fit enough to wrap it around him and could be evacuated.
The man was exhausted and cold, he was given the necessary care and a warm spot in the lifeboat's wheelhouse. A rescuer went back into the water 2 more times to retrieve the unfortunate man's equipment as well.
The kiter was taken to Blankenberge after which he returned home under his own power.
This one got off with a scare!
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Tip for kiters. Keep your mobile phone in a waterproof pouch with you, along with two hand flares so you can sound the alarm yourself in an emergency! A reflective cap or stickers on helmet or wetsuit can greatly increase the chances of being found during a search!