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Cardigan RNLI rescues kayakers from heavy seas

Lifeboats News Release

Four kayakers who got into trouble in rough seas were rescued by Cardigan RNLI volunteers.

RNLI/Dave Parkinson

The B class lifeboat Albatross returns to Cardigan RNLI Lifeboat Station following the rescue

The alarm was raised at 10.10am on Wednesday 22 February and the Poppit Sands station’s two inshore lifeboats - the B class Albatross and D class John Darbyshire - were both launched.

A Coastguard helicopter was also scrambled to the incident.

Two of the kayakers were quickly located and taken on board one of the lifeboats and a search was then carried out for the remaining two casualties, with reports that they had capsized.

One of the kayakers managed to make it to shore and a waiting Coastguard rescue team and the final kayaker was picked up in Cardigan Sound by the lifeboat station’s B class lifeboat.

All the casualties - who were well equipped and had called in the emergency themselves - were assessed by the volunteer crews and handed over to the Coastguard and ambulance service.

Cardigan Lifeboat Operations Manager Pete Austin said:

‘There was a great response from all the crew to be able to launch both lifeboats and we are delighted it was a positive outcome.'

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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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.

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