Yarmouth RNLI rescue capsized Kayaker

Yarmouth RNLI’s volunteer crew quickly responded to the alarm raised by a pair of local kitesurfers and headed west out of Yarmouth harbour towards Colwell Bay.

Once on scene they were quickly able to locate a man in the water, who was being supported and observed by one of the kitesurfers until help arrived. The casualty was secured into the sling that had been lowered by the RNLI crew and was then lifted safely onboard the lifeboat using the ‘A’ frame. Having assessed the kayaker for injuries, the crew then recovered the kayak and secured it to the starboard deck of the lifeboat.

Yarmouth lifeboat then escorted the standby Kkitesurfer back to the safety of Colwell Bay before returning to Yarmouth Harbour with the rescued kayaker and his boat onboard.

Crew member Alex Pimm said ‘The kayaker had all of the necessary safety equipment onboard, he had also made sure that contacts on land knew where he was but the conditions were lively: 20 knots of south westerly winds and a swell of half a metre would have made it extremely difficult for the lone Kayaker to right his boat.’

Graham Benton, Deputy Coxswain also added ‘The quick thinking support of the two local kitesurfers turned what could have been a tragic accident into a rescue with a positive outcome.’

Yarmouth lifeboat returned to her berth and was ready for service at 3.55pm.

The RNLI remains an independent charity that relies on voluntary contributions to fund its lifesaving work.

Media contacts:

Teresa Fox, volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer, Yarmouth Lifeboat Station [email protected] 07976 731906

Paul Dunt, RNLI Regional Media Officer, [email protected] (07939) 228052

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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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