
Fowey RNLI lifeboat crew rescue seven kayakers in two shouts in one day
On Saturday July 1 Fowey's volunteer lifeboat crew launched their all-weather lifeboat in two separate shouts to rescue seven people in kayaks.
In their first shout of the day, Fowey’s lifeboat crew launched their all-weather lifeboat at 12pm to rescue two double kayaks, one of which was an inflatable, with four people in them who had got into difficulties in a strong off-shore wind off Chapel point. They had been spotted by a walker from the cliff path above who initially raised the alarm.
The casualties also made a separate 999 distress call to the coastguard who requested Fowey to launch. The all-weather lifeboat made best speed to the location. Two casualties had fallen into the sea and had been collected by a Jet Ski rider. A fishing vessel on scene held the kayak and monitored the other kayak with two casualties still on board until the lifeboat arrived. Once on scene the lifeboat crew rescued the two casualties and both kayaks from the water and recovered them to Portmellon Beach, using the small XP boat from the main lifeboat. The solid kayak was full of water and it took four of the lifeboat crew to recover it. The casualties were transferred to the care of the Mevagissey Coastguard team.
In a busy day for Fowey’s volunteer crew, Launch Authority Kathy Ogg authorised her second launch of the day for the all-weather lifeboat at 6.30pm.
In the second incident that day involving kayakers, the NCI at Charlestown had reported seeing three people in trouble in an inflatable kayak half a mile off Charlestown. They were being blown off-shore.
The lifeboat crew requested St Austell Coastguard to be on standby to potentially receive casualties.
In a strong off-shore wind, the lifeboat crew assisted three men from the inflatable kayak. They then recovered the kayak to the care of coastguard, using the XP boat carried onboard the lifeboat.
Launch Authority Kathy Ogg said: 'When using a kayak it is important to wear a personal flotation device at all times. Always check the weather, wind conditions and tide times before going out and always carry a means of calling for help that is easily accessible in an emergency. Tell someone where you are going and always try to paddle with someone else.'
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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