Sennen Cove RNLI Lifeboat Rescues Kayaker
At 12.55pm, on Saturday 8 August HM Coastguard Falmouth requested the assistance of the Sennen Cove lifeboat, following reports of an inflatable dingy with three occupants in difficulties off Porthcurno. The lifeguards were with them , but needed assistance in getting them back to shore.
The All weather lifeboat City of London III, with six crew on board, launched at 1-05 pm and headed to the scene. En route a further call was received that a kayaker was in difficulties off Porthgwarra. It was decided that this second emergency was more urgent, as the kayaker was alone and unaided.
The lifeboat crew began a search for the casualty. Such a small craft is difficult to find, but they eventually spotted him, thanks to his yellow jacket and the fact that he was waving a paddle. He was taken on board with his kayak and transported back to Porthcurno.
When they arrived at Porthcurno, the kayaker was handed over to the care of the lifeguards, and the inflatable had also been successfully returned to the safety of the beach.
The kayaker was extremely lucky. He had had the foresight to carry his mobile phone with him. He had called the Coastguard himself. When he was found, he was cold and tired. having struggled vainly against the receding tide off Gwennap Head, and was rapidly being driven out westwards. Without the phone, it could have been a tragic ending.
The City of London III returned to Sennen Cove and was recovered up the long slip at 2.05 pm.
Ends.
Notes to editors
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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 over 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 142,200 lives.
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 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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