Holyhead and Trearddur Bay Rescue Five Kayakers

Pagers sounded at 2.15pm, with HM Coastguard reporting that the kayakers had been spotted getting into difficulty, north of North Stack, with at least one in the water.

The initial request was for the launch of the D-class Mary and Archie Hooper only, but with possibility of also needing the all-weather lifeboat too. A volunteer crew of three launched the ILB in less than five minutes, and headed immediately to the cited location. Other crew assembled at station ready for the call for the ALB Christopher Pearce to also be launched.

As the inshore lifeboat approached the original location given, they reported that nothing had been found and the kayakers must have been caught by the blustery conditions and strong tides and been taken further out to sea or along the coast. The launch of the all-weather lifeboat was requested, and volunteer crew launched immediately, and headed towards the widening search area to assist the ILB

As the D-class searched, one of the kayakers, paddling alone, was spotted. He was found to be well, so was advised to head towards the nearby sheltered area of Gogarth Bay, where he would be recovered by the ALB, while the inshore crew looked for the remaining four casualties, including the one known to be in the water.

However when the ALB reached Gogarth Bay, no lone kayaker could be found.

The inshore crew then used a white flare to assist with being located by the Severn-class. En route to meet up with the inshore lifeboat, a crew member on the all-weather lifeboat spotted the lone kayaker in the water further at a different location, and the ALB proceeded to recover that person and their craft onto the lifeboat. With worsening conditions and a now larger search area, the assistance of Trearddur Bay RNLI was requested. Both their lifeboats, D-class Clive and Imelda Rawlins 2, and Atlantic 85 Hereford Endeavour, were launched.

Meanwhile, the Holyhead inshore crew set about looking for the rest of the casualties, finding two further along, near the South Stack coastline. They were advised to head to the nearby beach at locally known 'Abraham’s Bosom', and were escorted by Trearddur Bay RNLI, who by now had arrived on scene, to ensure their safe arrival back at shore. They were also met by local volunteer cliff rescue teams to be assessed.

With two kayakers still missing, including the one who was known to have been in the water, the general search widened, and at last they were spotted by crew volunteers. The ALB quickly reached the location and the two were taken aboard and assessed. The kayaker who had been in the water was suffering with exhaustion, the effects of the cold water and the ingestion of water.

As all five casualties had now been found, all lifeboats headed back to shore, with the casualty who had been in the water taken back to Holyhead lifeboat station. He was given refreshments and after being assessed, left to join his fellow kayakers.

Lifeboats were back at their respective berths and made ready for any further calls by 5.15pm.

Speaking of the rescue, Holyhead coxswain Mark Wade said:

‘This was not an easy search, as the sea conditions, along with bright sunshine, made it very difficult to spot any of the kayakers in the water, and the fact they were in three separate groups made this even more difficult. They were all well-equipped, but had been caught by the strong tides.’

‘It was fortunate that we managed to locate all five casualties, and bring them all back safely. This call could have ended with a different outcome, but thanks to the excellent team effort by our crew, our flank station Trearddur Bay and the cliff rescue volunteers, all ended well.’

For any further information, please contact Vicki Owens, Holyhead Lifeboat Press Officer, on 07531 681409, or email [email protected]

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