Capsized Kayakers helped by Weymouth Inshore lifeboat
Saturday 18th August 2018, Solent Coastguard, on receiving multiple 999 calls reporting a kayaker in difficulties, issued a Mayday call to all vessels and requested that Weymouth RNLI lifeboats be launched.
Both Weymouth RNLI All-weather and Inshore lifeboats were launched at 12.50pm on Saturday 18th August to go to the aid of the kayaker reported to be in trouble in Warbarrow Bay near to Lulworth.
By the time that the faster inshore lifeboat was on scene at 1.10pm a Border Force vessel had got a capsized Kayaker out from the water and onto their vessel. The middle aged male was then transferred onto the lifeboat for transfer back to Lulworth Cove where he and his friend, also in a kayak had set off from.
With the casualty safely on the Inshore lifeboat the All-weather lifeboat was released and returned to Weymouth Harbour.
The second kayaker at first refused a lift on the Inshore lifeboat and was being escorted back to Lulworth Cove when he also capsized and was then brought onto the lifeboat.
Both were then taken back safely to Lulworth Cove.
With both the kayakers safely ashore the volunteer lifeboat crew were released and returned to station at 2.45pm where the lifeboat was refuelled and made ready for the next shout.
RNLI volunteer helm Karl Sargent said,' The wind conditions on scene were a force 4-5 with a 1 metre swell, which meant that once they were capsized it was extremely difficult to climb back into the kayak. On returning them to shore, safety advice about always carrying a means of calling for help, which should always be on the person so that it can be used quickly if needed, was given to the kayakers.'
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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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