Padstow RNLI volunteer crew launch to reports of an overdue kayaker

After searching from Crackington Haven to Bude and back again nothing was found. Fortunately, Rescue Helicopter 187 located the kayaker south of Highcliff. Padstow lifeboat headed to the location as helicopter and coastguards could not access the area safely.

Launching the Y-boat Padstow volunteers made contact with the kayaker at approximately 5am on the 1 August. The kayaker was found safe and well, camping in a cove. Unfortunately, there was no phone signal in the area and the kayaker's VHF device had very low battery so he was unable to let his family know that he was safe and still on his planned route.

Padstow RNLI ensured the kayaker was safe and he packed up his camp to continue his journey.

Padstow lifeboat was then stood down and returned to the lifeboat station at 6.45am, refuelled and ready for service by 7.30am.

Padstow Coxswain Richard Pitman said ‘It was a team effort and a successful multi-agency search. It was a false alarm with good intent. We recommend that everyone is well prepared when going to sea and has a means to call for help. We were relieved to find the kayaker safe and well and glad we could be there to help.’

Media contacts

For more information please telephone Abigail Gough, RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07460 484503 or [email protected] or Emma Haines, Regional Communications Manager on 07786 668847 or [email protected] or the RNLI press office on 01202 336789 / [email protected].

RNLI online

For more information, please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the RNLI News Centre.

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 over 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and, in a normal year, 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.

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 142,700 lives.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

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.