Two kayakers rescued in the Burry Estuary by Burry Port RNLI
Two kayakers rescued in the Burry Estuary by Burry Port RNLI
Lifeboats News Release
At 10pm last night, Milford Haven Coastguard requested the immediate launch of Burry Port lifeboat to assist two kayakers, one of which was reported to be in the water
The two kayakers had set out from Llanelli Beach and were heading for the north Gower and a tour of the Gower on the following days.
In mid-channel, between the Whitford Lighthouse and Burry Port Harbour, one kayaker had overturned and could not get back in to his kayak. With a very strong outgoing tide, after some time, they had to call 999 for Coastguard assistance.
At 10.01pm, Burry Port RNLI lifeboat crew were paged and D-Class lifeboat Diane Hilary was immediately launched. With Paul Mitchell at helm, backed up by Richard Parsons and Lee Fox, the volunteer crew made their way to locate the casualties. The two kayakers were very visible with their lights and very quickly recovered.
Due to the fact of one of them being in the water for over 40 minutes, they were immediately returned to shore and checked out by a waiting NHS ambulance crew. As the kayaks were very large, single 'sit-in' types, the Atlantic 75 'Leicester Challenge II' was also launched to assist the recovery of both kayaks.
After medical checks the two kayakers were deemed fit and well, but just a little shaken from the experience. they were camping out in Burry Port for the night, to resume their journey in the morning.
Alun Wells, Lifeboat Press Officer for Burry Port RNLI says:
‘The quick response time of all our crews and support, and the close team work, was a big factor in this successful rescue.’
Media Contacts For further information, please contact Alun Wells, Lifeboat Press Officer at Burry Port on 07929 783239.
Key facts about the RNLI
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.
