Kayaker saved by St Davids RNLI and local fishing boat
St Davids all-weather lifeboat launched on Monday 1 August to reports of a kayaker in difficulty off Porthgain, Pembrokeshire.
After falling into the sea whilst fishing close to the coastline, the lone male spent some time in the water attempting to climb back into his kayak. Drifting up to a mile off-shore, the kayaker eventually raised the alarm by calling 999 from a mobile phone.
The RNLI volunteer crew quickly arrived on scene off Abereiddi, some 5.5 miles from the station, where local fishing boat the Alfie George had just picked up the kayaker. The fishing vessel had already assisted three stand up paddle boarders back to shore and retrieved two inflatables blown out to sea in the off-shore wind.
After transferring the casualty to the lifeboat, Norah Wortley made best speed back to the boathouse where the RNLI's volunteer doctor made a full medical assessment. Once the casualty was deemed fit for discharge, St Davids volunteer coastguard team took him back to Porthgain to retrieve his vehicle.
Will Chant, RNLI Coxswain for St Davids lifeboat, says:
“Thankfully the casualty was well equipped wearing a personal flotation device and carrying a means of calling for help. The combination of wind and tide carried him some distance offshore, and without his emergency call the situation could have been far more grave. I would like to thank the “Alfie George” for assisting the casualty prior to our arrival, and St Davids Coastguard team for their assistance back ashore.”
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.
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