RNLI New Quay responds to Coastguard mayday call off Cwmtydu

The call was to the RNLI and all craft in the vicinity to go to the assistance of a kayaker in the sea at Cwmtydu who had fallen from his craft and was in dire trouble, having been in the water for some time. The call came in at 6.31pm and within minutes the Audrey LJ was launched with Brett Stones at the helm assisted by crew members Peter Yates and Ellis Jones.

Having proceeded at speed the lifeboat crew found that a local fishing boat, the Pioneer, was nearby and had already located the male casualty but was finding it difficult to haul him aboard. The lifeboat crew took over, taking the man on board and proceeding to check him over thoroughly. Despite his ordeal, the casualty quickly recovered and the crew was able to land him on the beach.

Brett commented:

‘The kayaker was very lucky in that he was close enough to the shore to be spotted by people who were able to raise the alarm. He was suitably dressed for the activity and reacted calmly to his predicament which also helped.’

Lifeboat Operations Manager Roger Couch said afterwards:

‘Speed was of the essence when the call was received as the casualty was in the water for some time and the cold could have seriously affected him. I was greatly impressed by the speed at which crew members responded enabling the inshore lifeboat to leave for Cwmtydu without delay.’

Notes to editor

New Quay lifeboat station has been operating since 1864. Today there are twenty five trained crew members, a Mersey class all weather lifeboat and an inshore rescue craft.

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