Sennen Cove RNLI volunteers rescue kayakers off Lands End
On Tuesday 2 June at 5.15pm, HM Coastguard Falmouth requested the immediate launch of Sennen Cove Lifeboat Inshore lifeboat to assist a kayaker who had capsized and was in difficulties approximately 100 metres from Lands End point.
They had been alerted by the the man’s kayaking partner by mobile phone stating that the casualty was tired and unable to recover himself. He was clinging to the kayak and getting cold.
As communications are very difficult close in against the cliffs at Lands End and with a fast ebbing tide present it was decided to launch both lifeboats. Lands End Coastguard Cliff Rescue Team also attended to provide extra cover.
The Sennen Cove inshore lifeboat Amy Brown, with three volunteer crew on board, launched at 5.20pm immediately followed by the all weather lifeboat City of London III. They proceeded to Lands End point to recover the casualties
On arriving at the given location the kayakers could not be found. Due to the wind and strong tide it was decided to search further to the south, where the casualties would have drifted. The Tamar class lifeboat, with its higher superstructure giving a better platform to search from, spotted the kayakers approximately two miles south south east of Lands End point. Both lifeboats made best speed to them and both crews helped to recover the kayakers and their equipment to the all weather lifeboat at 5.45pm. The casualty in the water was very cold and tired. His fellow kayaker was unharmed.
Both lifeboats returned to the lifeboat station with the casualties and were recovered at 6.00pm
The kayakers were well equipped and were able to contact the Coastguard for help when they realised they were in trouble. They were taken two miles from their original reported position by wind and tide the short time between alerting the Coastguard and being recovered from the sea. With both lifeboats launching to their aid so quickly and the crew’s local knowledge of the waters they cover, this provided a positive result to an incident which could have had a totally different outcome.
RNLI media contacts
For more information please telephone Brian Simpson, RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 01736 871631, or 07762 057127 or [email protected], or Tim Stevens, Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer on 07971518403 or [email protected] or Marianne Quinn, Regional Media Officer on 07786 668847 or [email protected], or contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789
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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 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.
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.