Earlier, 4 kayakers had been out on the water in the harbour, the kayakers had got cold and were struggling against the weather, as they were making their way back to Baiter. They had stopped for some respite and came ashore on Brownsea island, with 1 of the group attempting to carry on.
But then the remaining kayakers, lost sight of the 4th and they made the decision to dial 999 and asked for the Coastguard.
Conditions in the harbour were blustery with winds gusting from the North West.
Both Poole lifeboats were launched, to recover the 3 stranded Kayakers off Brownsea and to search for the one who was now detached from the group.
The Atlantic, proceeded to Brownsea and located the kayakers who were on the north side beach, they were wet and cold but okay. Meanwhile, the D class began to search in the harbour for the missing Kayaker and Poole Coastguard Search and rescue team were requested to conduct searches ashore.
The lifeboat transferred the kayakers and their kayaks off Brownsea and looked for the missing kayaker as they headed back to Baiter.
As the lifeboat crew arrived back at Baiter, they found an orange kayak on the shore, which was identified as the missing one and then shortly after the absent kayaker turned up safe and well.
As everyone was present and safe, both lifeboats stood down and returned to station, after refueling and an extensive sanitization the lifeboats were made ready for service by 5pm.
Poole Lifeboat volunteer Helm Jonathan Clark said;
‘Conditions were very choppy out in the harbour and challenging, the kayakers did the right thing calling 999 to ask for help. If you are at all in doubt, it is always better to be safe than sorry, as conditions can change very quickly’.
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.
