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Abersoch RNLI rescue lone kayaker whilst out on exercise.

Lifeboats News Release

The volunteer crew at Abersoch RNLI were out on a routine training exercise on Thursday evening, 6 June 2024, when they spotted a lone kayaker heading towards St Tudwal’s Island East.

RNLI/Emma Wood

The casualty, an adult male, had been attempting to paddle to the island in a moderate sea state and an off-shore westerly wind. When the volunteer crew arrived at the scene the kayak had taken on water and the casualty was becoming cold.

The casualty was taken on board the Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat together with the kayak and after checking his condition he was returned to the shore at 8.10pm where he was left in the care of the waiting local Coastguard team who had been alerted to the incident.

Abersoch RNLI volunteer helm, Phill Woods, said ‘He was very lucky that we happened to come across him whilst out on exercise’. He added, ‘Although the casualty was wearing a lifejacket, he was somewhat underprepared for the conditions which were not favourable for kayaking’.

The volunteer crew returned to the lifeboat station at 8.25pm where the lifeboat was then washed down and refuelled by the waiting shore crew and left ready for service.

If you get into difficulty or spot someone else in trouble dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

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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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