St Mary's RNLI volunteer crew rescue local kayaker who capsized in big swell

The lifeboat under the command of coxswain Peter Hicks responded to a report from someone on the shore of St. Agnes, Isles of Scilly, who saw a kayaker overturn in a big swell.

St. Mary's lifeboat The Whiteheads was launched at 5.24pm and arrived on the scene five minutes later just off Periglis, St. Agnes. At 5.32pm the kayaker was helped back on-board his kayak and the lifeboat escorted him back to safety. There was too much swell to use the St. Agnes quay, so the kayaker made his way to the slipway under the Turk's Head public house, landing ashore at 5.46pm. The casualty was reported as none the worse for wear and the volunteer crew returned to St. Mary's harbour where the lifeboat was refuelled, ready for service.

Notes to editors
Stock shot attached of St. Mary's all-weather lifeboat The Whiteheads

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 over 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and, in a normal year, 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 142,700 lives.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.