LYMINGTON COASTGUARD VISITS DOWNING STREET

A Lymington Coastguard Rescue Officer has this week visited Number 10 Downing Street in recognition of his rescue work during the winter storms.

 Paul Richman was part of the team that responded to the Valentine’s Day rescue at a Milford on Sea restaurant, where 32 people had become trapped.
Solent Coastguard was first contacted at 10pm on Friday 14th February 2014 when the sea flooded the Marine Restaurant and the wind picked up the shingle from the beach and smashed through the ground floor windows. 

 When Paul and other members of the Lymington Coastguard Rescue Team arrived on scene, the water was flooding in to the restaurant and the front doors were bent and buckled. Nearby vehicles had overturned, beach huts smashed and the water was full of debris with waist deep waves sweeping people off their feet.

 Working alongside the other emergency services, including Army personnel, the 32 restaurant customers and staff were eventually helped to safety.

 Paul said:

 "It was an honour to be invited to a lunch reception at Number 10 to represent the Coastguard for all our work during the winter storms. It also gave me the opportunity to meet other members of the emergency services and emergency responders, and talk about our experiences. 

 “It's been a challenging few months, but my team and all at the Coastguard have worked together to try to keep people safe."

 Richard Martin, Chief Coastguard, said:

 “Coastguards have worked tirelessly over the winter months as storms and tidal surges have battered many parts of the UK coastline. I'd like to take a moment to thank them all for their sterling efforts in what have been very challenging conditions.

 “From the staff coordinating efforts in our Coastguard centres, to those rescue officers out in their communities, so many have given up their free time to help out. Some have done so in the early hours, on Christmas Eve into Christmas Day and even spending time away from loved ones on Valentine’s Day.

 “My thanks again to everyone involved in the storm rescue efforts.”

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