Looe RNLI investigate reports of a kayaker in difficulties

Yesterday evening, Wednesday 17 May 2023, Looe RNLI volunteers crews were on Seaton beach for a joint training exercise with the RNLI South East Cornwall lifeguard team. With an increase of rescue incidents involving Kayak and Stand Up Paddelboard (SUP) users, our crews together with the lifeguard team, had the opportunity to practice recovering casualties and their crafts. Crews and lifeguards had just landed on the beach with a “casualty” when a tasking request from Falmouth Maritime Rescue Coordination centre ( MRCC ) was received over VHF radio around 7.45 pm. Falmouth Coastguards had received a 999 call reporting a kayaker in difficulties off Freathy beach. Leaving the lifeguards to continue their training on the beach, our crews returned to the Atlantic 85 and D Class inshore lifeboats to make their towards Whitsand bay. Arriving on scene our crews spotted a person on the beach with an inflatable kayak, it transpired the kayaker found it difficult to return to the beach in the offshore wind, but they were eventually able to make it back to the beach safely before the lifeboats arrived on scene,

This exercise at Seaton coincided with a RNLI fundraiser being held at the Beach House. After making sure the kayaker was uninjured, our crews were released by Falmouth coastguards and made their way back to Seaton where they were greeted with a round of applause from those attending the fundraiser.

After spending a short time at the fundraiser, our volunteer crews returned to Looe where the shore crew recovered the lifeboats and prepared them for service.

Commenting that a training exercise with kayaks and SUP’s suddenly change to a real incident involving a kayak, our volunteer crew say it is a timely reminder for the RNLI’s safety advice to all kayakers and paddleboarders

· Always wear a suitable buoyancy aid.

· Check weather forecast and tide times and avoid going out in offshore winds.

· Carry a means of calling for help and keep it on your person

· Mobile phones can be kept dry by using a waterproof phone pouch.

· Always go with a friend.

· Always tell someone where you are going and when you expect to return.

· Always wear your leash and stay on your board if you get into trouble – this will help you float.

· If you get into trouble, call 999 or 112 and ask for the coastguard

END

Notes to editors

Photos:

· Looe RNLI Atlantic 85 Sheila and Dennis Tongue II and D Class Ollie Naismith II leaving Seaton
Photo credit RNLI / Ian Foster

· Looe RNLI volunteer crew training with RNLI SE Cornwall lifeguard team ( 4 images )
Photo credit RNLI / Ian Foster

Information

· Re-established as an inshore lifeboat station in 1992, Looe RNLI operate two inshore lifeboats
An Atlantic 85 Sheila and Dennis Tongue II and a D Class Ollie Naismith II

· From 13 May 2023, RNLI Lifeguards recommenced daily patrols on Seaton beach for the summer season

· Looe RNLI Facebook page www.facebook.com/LooeRNLI

RNLI media contacts

For more information please telephone

Ian Foster, RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for Looe Lifeboat Station, on 07902 753228 or [email protected] or [email protected]

or Amy Caldwell, RNLI Regional Media Manager, on 07920 818807 or [email protected]

or Emma Haines, RNLI Regional Media Officer, on 07786 668847 or [email protected]

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI is the charity that 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 146,700 lives.

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