A BOY managed to save himself from drowning by remembering a lifeboat charity's campaign video.

Coastguards rescued two boys from the sea in Southend after their boat overturned.

HM Coastguard received a call on Saturday via 999.

The Pier and Foreshore service had witnessed the incident unfold in front of them and called 999.

Southend RNLI quickly launched their Atlantic 85, followed by Southend CRT.

Once on scene the Southend team were approached by one of the boys who managed to swim to shore.

Whilst a member of the team provided emergency casualty care they were told the other boy was unable to swim.

With the RNLI already carrying out their search pattern on the water, other team members watched on from shore.

The second boy was being brought to shore after a kite-surfer heard calls for help and then spotted them in the water.

They were cared for by the team and an ambulance was called.

A HM coastguard said: "Both casualties had ingested quite a lot of water and the team’s concerns were of secondary drowning as this can occur following ingestion.

"The casualty who was unable to swim while receiving care from the team, relayed to us that it was the RNLI's “Float To Live” campaign that had contributed to his survival from drowning.

"He had seen and watched the campaign video and had remembered what to do should he find himself in trouble.

"East of England Ambulance Service arrived on scene to take over from the Southend Team and, following an ATMIST handover, both casualties were conveyed to hospital for further monitoring."

They added: "We would like to wish them both a very speedy recovery and to express our sincere thanks to the kite-surfer who pulled one of them from the water.

"Thanks also go out to the RNLI for not only an amazing response time, but for all their efforts and all they do.

"And lastly thanks to the Pier and Foreshore officer for acting so quickly, his actions coupled with all others in the chain contributed to what was a great outcome."

Both boys have since been released from hospital and are well, if not still a little shaken, from their ordeal.

One of the parents said: "As one of the boy's parents I am eternally grateful to everyone involved.

"These boys have been around boats all their lives and it just shows how easily people can get into difficulty - saying thank you to all involved just doesn’t express our gratitude enough."