Donate now

St Davids RNLI tasked to kayakers in difficulty

Lifeboats News Release

St Davids RNLI volunteer crew were paged at 4:04pm on Friday (28th August) to three kayakers in difficulty at the entrance to Solva Harbour.

RNLI/Ellen Evans

Download image
The all-weather lifeboat 'Norah Wortley' was launched and made way to Solva Harbour. On arrival, the casualties had been recovered by a local vessel but had been separated by two of their kayaks in the process.

The Coastguard tasked the crew to find them so they didn't cause further incidents. One was located three quarters of a mile out and the second a further half mile out to sea.

Once recovered, the kayaks were returned to the casualties now safely with St Davids Coastguard Rescue Team at Solva harbour. The stations duaghter craft was launched to return the kayaks as the tide had already begun to fall.

The volunteer crew returned to station and were ready for service at 5:40pm.

Commenting on the rescue, coxswain Will Chant said: 'The distance the kayaks had travelled shows just how quickly the offshore wind carried these out to sea.'

Will added: 'When out on the water, please ensure you have the correct equipment; buoyancy aids or life jackets, and a means to call for help. Check the tides and weather before making plans.'

'If you are in danger on the coast or see anyone else in danger please call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.'

RNLI/Ellen Evans

Download image

RNLI/Ellen Evans

Download image

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.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.

About the author

Ellen Evans
Lifeboat Press Officer, St Davids Lifeboat Station

Categories