Fishguard RNLI lifeboats launched to suspected missing kayakers
On Monday 18 July at 5.12pm the Fishguard inshore lifeboat received a request to launch from the Coastguard to investigate an unoccupied kayak seen drifting off Aberbach, Dinas.
The unoccupied yellow two-man kayak had been spotted drifting and a concerned member of the public raised the alarm. By the time the inshore lifeboat and its volunteer crew were at the scene the kayak had been recovered and taken back to shore.
As there was no sign of the possible occupants and indications that someone had been on board the Coastguard asked the inshore lifeboat to begin a southwest to northeast search along the coastline. Conditions were good with calm seas and good visibility.
At 6.06pm the Coastguard raised the status to mayday and requested assistance from the Fishguard all-weather lifeboat and apparently were considering calling for a helicopter to assist in the search. By the time the all-weather lifeboat had arrived on the scene it had been established that the kayak had not been occupied and that there were no missing kayakers. The search was then called off and both lifeboats returned to the station at 6.45pm.
RNLI media contacts:
For more information contact Rick Mabey, Fishguard RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer, on 07785 953251 or Chris Cousens, RNLI Press Officer, Wales and West, on 07748 265496 or 01745 585162 or by email on [email protected]
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The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.
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