St Agnes RNLI lifeboat launched in aid of a solo kayaker in difficulty
The St Agnes inshore lifeboat Xkalibur was launched last night (30 July) following reports of a man spotted out to sea in the water off the coast of St Agnes.
Launched at 7.12pm, the volunteer crew of Helm Gavin Forehead, Adam Garland and Jamie Barton responded to the call and proceeded in a search of the area given in an attempt to locate the person in the water. Sea conditions were a 2m swell and the visibility was good, with westerly force 4-5 winds.
The St Agnes RNLI lifeboat crew located the man in the water at 7.24pm. The casualty had been out fishing alone and fallen off his kayak. He was unable to get back onto his kayak as it appeared to be taking on water and sinking.
The casualty, in his 40s, was on holiday and had been adrift at sea for approximately 30 minutes, before being spotted. He was wearing wet weather clothing and a buoyancy aid, but didn't have any means of alerting anyone to his distress situation. Fortunately, he had been observed and monitored by two National Coastwatch Institution (NCI) watch keepers, Mathew Hurst and Jon Macleod, in their lookout on St Agnes Head.
When the lifeboat crew recovered the casualty, they wrapped him in insulating sheets and administered oxygen and medication to prevent him from deterioration. They conveyed him in the St Agnes Lifeboat back to Trevaunance Cove at 7.30pm. He was handed over to the care of paramedics from the South Western Ambulance Service.
The St Agnes RNLI inshore lifeboat was back on standby at 8.20pm.
His kayak was washed up 5 miles away at Perran Sands this morning.
The RNLI would like to take this opportunity to highlight the Sea Safety for Kayakers information, which can be found on the RNLI website at:
https://rnli.org/safety/choose-your-activity/kayaking-and-canoeing.
RNLI notes to editors
- St Agnes lifeboat station has been operating since 1968. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to www.rnli.org.uk/stagnes
- The casualty will be meeting up with his RNLI rescuers and the NCI watch keepers at the St.Agnes Lifeboat Station this Wednesday 2 August 11.00am. If any Press or Media would like to attend, they are welcome.
- Further information about St Agnes RNLI Lifeboat can be found at https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/st-agnes-lifeboat-station
The enclosed photograph shows off duty lifeguard Robin Howell after finding the kayak at Perran Sands and the paddles in Penhale Corner this morning.
RNLI media contacts
For more information, interviews or photo opportunities, please telephone Paul Kimberley, St.Agnes RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer on 07976737761 or [email protected]
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.
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