Falmouth RNLI called out to kayaker in distress
On Friday 22 July, Falmouth's RNLI volunteer lifeboat crew launched to reports of a kayaker at Portholland who had capsized and was unable to get back aboard.
The kayaker, who was in the water for around 45 minutes, was not wearing a Personal Floatation Device and had lost his phone at sea. A fisherman on the rocks spotted the man in difficulty and alerted the coastguard.
Luckily before Falmouth’s inshore lifeboat - Robina Nixon Chard - reached the scene, the man was spotted by another kayaker who was passing by and helped to transport him back ashore.
On arrival, Lloyd Barron – lifeboat helm - dropped two crew on land to attend to the casualty. The kayaker, who was hypothermic from being in the water for a long period of time, was warmed up and given oxygen before being transported back to Falmouth Lifeboat Station for further medical treatment from paramedics.
Jonathan Blakeston, Coxswain, Falmouth RNLI said: “We would like to commend the two members of the public who spotted the kayaker in the water and did the right thing by raising the alarm immediately and helping him safely back to shore. Time is always of the essence in these situations.
‘We encourage anyone setting out in a kayak or craft of any size to carry a means of calling for help in a waterproof pouch and to wear a Personal Floatation Device.
“Always try to paddle with a friend or group if you can. If you are going alone, make sure you tell someone where you’re going and when you’ll be back so they can raise the alarm with the coastguard if you’re overdue, by calling 999 or 112.”
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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