Abersoch RNLI tasked by HM Coastguard following a report of a stranded kayaker.
RNLI Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat volunteer crew were paged at 11.17 on Sunday morning to assist a kayaker stranded on Gwylan Island off the coast of Aberdaron after getting into difficulty in a strong running tide.
The adult male was spotted by a passing vessel who, due to the strength of the tide and the rocks in the vicinity, was unable to get close enough to the small island to assist. They then called the Coastguard to request assistance.
The lifeboat was launched at 11.35 and managed to manouvre with the tide close enough to allow one crew member to safely swim onto the island. The individual, who had taken the sensible decision to get onto the island for safety, was initially assessed by the crew member and found to have minor cuts and bruises.
The casualty was helped back into the kayak and the crew member swam with the kayak back to the waiting lifeboat where a further more detailed assessment was undertaken before safely returning the casualty and kayak to the shore for handover to Aberdaron Coastguard.
On one of the busiest weekends of the year so far Volunteer Helm, Elissa Thursfield-Williams, said: ‘It’s great to see so many people out enjoying the water again after so long away from the coast. It is vital though to make sure that you familiarise yourself with local tides and if you head out you have a means of calling for help and wear appropriate clothing and a lifejacket.” She added, “The weather can soon change and having the right gear and ability to call for help can save you vital minutes whilst you wait for help to arrive.'
The crew returned to the Lifeboat Station shortly after 1pm whereupon both the lifeboat and crew kit was thoroughly cleaned and left ready for service.
Notes to editors
· Video footage available.
· Abersoch Lifeboat Station has been operating for just over 150 years. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/abersoch-lifeboat-station
· The current B Class Atlantic 85 Lifeboat launches to a variety of both commercial and leisure craft call-outs
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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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