Dunbar Volunteers Respond to Kayaker in Distress
Dunbar’s RNLI lifeboat crew were tasked to assist a kayaker in trouble near Skateraw early this morning (June 20).
UK Coastguard paged for the all-weather lifeboat (ALB) at 6.44am after receiving a report that the kayaker had fallen into the water while fishing half a mile off shore.
As the ALB prepared to launch from Torness Power Station at 7.05am, two crew manned the boarding boat to try and locate the casualty. The kayaker had been assisted by a passing angler who spotted the man clinging to his craft and helped him aboard.
The boarding boat crew escorted the boat to the shore and assisted in helping the man reach waiting coastguard teams from Dunbar and North Berwick. Although extremely cold and shivery, he was assessed by a Scottish Ambulance Service crew and appeared to be otherwise unhurt.
The lifeboat crew helped recover the man’s kayak and at 8am were stood down by UK Coastguard.
A Dunbar RNLI spokesman said: “Although the kayaker was well-equipped he had been in the water for sometime and was initially reluctant to call for help. We would urge anyone in difficulty in or near the water to call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.”
Stay safe. Protect others. Save lives
As we move into phase two of restrictions in Scotland we would like to remind boat users to be prepared before returning to the water.
As your boat has been sitting idle for the last few months, please ensure you have good fresh fuel in the tank and that your water and oil is at the correct level.
Always check the weather forecast and sea conditions before you set off.
Always wear a lifejacket. If you fall into the water unexpectedly, you’re four times more likely to survive wearing one.
Always carry a means to call for help.
And do not put yourself, your family or the emergency services at risk.
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.