Yarmouth RNLI lifeboat search for missing kayakers
Yarmouth’s Severn class all weather lifeboat ‘Eric and Susan Hiscock (Wanderer)’ was launched on 27 July at 5.42pm to reports of two missing kayakers to search the shoreline area east of Yarmouth.
As Yarmouth lifeboat made its way to the search area, they continued communication with the coastguard and reported that a sighting had been made in the Hamstead cliff area. The pair of kayakers had set out from the mainland shore in calm conditions but were caught out by the strength and direction of the tide, leaving them stranded on the island and unable to safely make their way back to Lymington.
Having located the casualties, the all weather lifeboat launched the Y boat (this is a small inflatable boat carried on the Severn). They were rescued from the beach and along with their kayaks were brought aboard the all weather lifeboat. The pair were then safely returned to the mainland by the lifeboat.
Yarmouth lifeboat returned to her berth and was ready for service at 7.08pm.
Coxswain Howard Lester said: ‘In calm warm conditions it's very easy to get a false sense of security, but the sea state can change rapidly so we'd always advise people to wear appropriate buoyancy aids and have a means of communication and calling for help.’
The RNLI remains an independent charity that relies on voluntary contributions to fund its lifesaving work.
Media contacts:
Teresa Fox, volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer, Yarmouth Lifeboat Station [email protected] 07976 731906
Paul Dunt, Regional Media Officer SE and London [email protected]
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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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