
Poole and Mudeford lifeboats in search for overdue kayaker
Both Poole Lifeboats and Mudeford lifeboat were requested to launch at 11.15pm Monday (May 25) to search for a missing kayaker.
The kayaker was reported to be heading from Poole to Barton on Sea and had been reported overdue, he had not been seen for over 5 hours.
The Atlantic carried out an extensive search from the entrance of Poole harbour to Hengistbury Head, overlapping with Mudeford Lifeboat whilst the D Class searched from Poole Quay up through to the entrance of the harbour.
Conditions in Poole Harbour and Poole Bay were glassy calm, with little or no wind, it was a very dark, moonless night.
The Poole volunteers conducted an extensive search of the area, the volunteer Coastguard search and rescue teams were on the shore and a search and rescue helicopter was also carrying out searches between Poole Quay and Barton - on - Sea.
There was no sightings of the Kayaker and his reported orange kayak.
The D class returned to station at 3am after nothing untoward was found, the Atlantic was stood down later just after 3.30am as the sun was breaking through the horizon across Poole Bay as they headed home.
Both lifeboats were refuelled and made ready for service, the volunteers returned home at to their beds around 4am.
Volunteer Helm Jonathan Clark said;
‘We conducted a very thorough search and with the clam conditions, the detection probability was very good’.
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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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