Safety reminder issued to parents over inflatables at East Yorkshire beaches
Hornsea Inshore Rescue are urging families using inflatables to take extra care on the coast, as temperate and winds rise
Last updated 26th Jul 2025
Parents in East Yorkshire are being reminded by the Hornsea Inshore Rescue team to keep a close watch on children using inflatables at the beach this weekend.
The hot temperatures expected over the coming days can bring strong offshore winds, which can quickly carry inflatables away from the shore and pose a serious risk for users.
Hornsea Inshore Rescue team have already attended four call-outs this season involving inflatables drifting offshore.
Karl Shannon, who leads the rescue crew, said:
“When we get these warm weathers, they are quite often accompanied by a strong offshore wind. Now these inflatable boats, once the wind gets hold of them, they can be a mile out in a matter of minutes.”
He urged parents to “hold onto a rope and keep them secured onto the beach in that way. And keep a good eye on your children when they’re on their inflatables in the water’s edge.”
“Now obviously, when you get a five, six‑year‑old child and they’re a mile out at sea, it’s absolutely petrifying for them."
"And not only that, the parents quite often have a tendency of trying to swim out and self rescue them themselves. And then they get themselves into danger as well.” He emphasises the need to respect the water: “You should be able to go and enjoy yourself and have some good fun, but. You’ve got to respect the sea as well. It’s a very dangerous place to be. Things can go wrong so fast.”
If anyone finds themselves or others in trouble, they are urged to call 999 and ask for the Coastguard. “A lot of people don’t realise you can get a hold of the Coast Guard on 999, but it is one of the four emergency services", says Mr Shannon. First for all the latest news from across the UK every hour on Hits Radio on DAB, at hitsradio.co.uk and on the Rayo app.