HM Coastguard has urged owners of paddleboards, canoes, kiteboards and windurfers have been urged to label their equipment so that they can be identified quickly if it is lost.
Over the last few years, the authority says that it has launched countless searches after watersports equipment was found washed up on the shore with no obvious owner – and no idea if that owner is in danger. But by simply writing a mobile number with permanent ink, or placing a waterproof sticker somewhere on each part of the equipment, all it could take is one phone call to confirm that everyone is safe and well – avoiding needless and expensive searches.
Free waterproof stickers are available from the Coastguard and can be ordered here
