Kayaker Rescued After Being Blown Offshore By Strong Winds
Kayaker Rescued After Being Blown Offshore By Strong Winds
Lifeboats News Release
A KAYAKER was rescued today after he became unable to return to shore due to high winds.
RNLI/Adrian Don
23 May 2019 A kayaker is transferred from the Port of Tyne Pilot vessel onto Tynemouth RNLI inshore lifeboat to be landed safely on Littlehaven beach, after he was rescued after being unable to return to shore due to high winds.
The kayaker radioed UK Coastguard for help at 11:35am when he found himself unable to paddle against the strong westerly winds and was being blown out to sea.
UK Coastguard's Humber Operation Centre immediately requested the launch of Tynemouth RNLI's inshore lifeboat, and the crew of the Port of Tyne Pilot vessel Collingwood also responded to the emergency as they were in the area.
As the lifeboat with three volunteer crew sped to the scene, the Pilot vessel located the kayaker approximately half a mile off South Shields beach. They brought him and his kayak on board their vessel and when the lifeboat arrived, the RNLI crew casualty care assessed the man, finding him unharmed.
The Pilot vessel and lifeboat then made their way further inshore towards Littlehaven, and the casualty and his kayak were transferred onto the lifeboat and landed safely on the beach, where they were met by members of the South Shields Volunteer Life Brigade.
The lifeboat was then stood down and returned to station where it was refuelled and made ready for service again.
Adrian Don, spokesman for Tynemouth RNLI lifeboat station, said: 'Thankfully the kayaker had a reliable means of communication and was quickly located but this situation could have easily turned into a tragedy as the strong westerly wind would quickly have blown him miles offshore with no realistic chance of him returning unassisted.
Mr Don added 'Always check the weather forecast and sea conditions before you set off and get regular updates if you’re planning to be out for any length of time. And be prepared to change your plans or cancel the trip if the forecast is unfavourable.'.
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.
