
Lyme Regis RNLI volunteers launched to capsized kayak
Volunteers at Lyme Regis RNLI launched on Saturday morning (2 September) to go to the aid of a kayaker in trouble half a mile offshore from Abbotsbury.
The 40 year old man had been tipped out of his kayak whilst fishing but, because his boat was partially filled with water, he was unable to get back on board. Fortunately, he was well equipped with a buoyancy aid and a VHF radio with which he was able to broadcast a Mayday call. The crew of a nearby fishing boat received his distress call and were quick to go to his aid. HM Coastguard also received the Mayday and instructed Lyme Regis RNLI to perform an immediate launch, the most urgent tasking request.
Lyme Regis RNLI volunteer lifeboat crew launched at 11.10am and arrived on scene off Abbotsbury at 11.37am. There they found the kayaker had been taken aboard the fishing boat and was safe and well. He was then transferred to the lifeboat and taken ashore with his kayak.
Volunteer Helm Jon Broome said: ‘The kayaker did exactly the right thing. He had the correct equipment and knew how to use it when the need arose. He was wearing a correctly fitted buoyancy aid and had a means of calling for help. The crew of the fishing boat also played an amazing part by immediately responding to the Mayday call. These are all important water safety messages.’
Once the kayaker was safely ashore, Lyme Regis lifeboat Spirit of Loch Fyne returned to Lyme Regis at 12.45pm. The two fishermen returned to their afternoon’s fishing.
This was the 35th service for Lyme Regis lifeboat this year.
Ends
Notes to editors
- Lyme Regis lifeboat approaches the fishing boat with the partially submerged kayak moored to its stern. Photo credit - RNLI
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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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