First call out for Llandudno RNLI new recruit after kayaker gets into trouble
Llandudno RNLI lifeboat launched at 4.36pm on Monday 18 March following a call from Holyhead Coastguard. It was requested the inshore RNLI lifeboat launch to search the coastline in the vicinity Penrhyn Bay for a kayaker reported to be in a potentially perilous situation.
Llandudno’s RNLI inshore lifeboat Dr Barbara Saunderson with her volunteer crew launched at 4.46pm to conduct an urgent search for a kayaker who had capsized and was reported to be struggling to reach the safety of the shore.
New RNLI crew member Chris Bestall was taking part in his first operational duty and with the volunteer crew on board, helped to locate the casualty very quickly in the vicinity of Angel Bay off the Little Orme. He said:
'In quite rough conditions this was a great experience for me, I was pleased we had such a swift outcome. The casualty had been in the water for quite some time, he was extremely cold and very relieved to see us.'
The volunteer crew were able to pick up the kayaker, a man in his 20s, and also his kayak and return to the Llandudno Boathouse by 5.05pm. The casualty was brought to the boat house to dry off and given appropriate medical advice, he was happily none the worse for his harrowing experience
A RNLI spokesperson added:
'This was a great outcome for the inshore lifeboat crew following on from the successful recue of two missing kayakers by the all-weather lifeboat the previous day.'
Notes to editors
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For more information please contact Jonathan Coe, Llandudno Lifeboat Press Officer on 07910 861193. Alternatively contact Eleri Roberts, RNLI Media Officer on 01745 585162 / 07771 941390 or email [email protected].
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