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Girvan Lifeboat called to kayaker in distress

Lifeboats News Release

Kayaker in difficulty sparks multi agency response

Rnli stock photo

RNLI

Rnli stock photo

On Saturday 7th Sept, Just moments after arriving back in Girvan, having been at Stranraer RNLI supporting them on their anniversary, at 20:36 our volunteer crew's pagers sounded for immediate launch, with the crew already on station, they headed straight back out to sea.

Reports coming in were 999 calls were received in response to a kayaker in difficulty and shouting for help near Pebbles Spa in the Lendalfoot area, our all-weather Shannon Class Lifeboat 'Elizabeth and Gertrude Allan' made best speed South and were soon on scene.

With the kayaker in the water and with further information received that they may be suffering a medical episode, we committed a crew member into the water alongside the kayaker to support them and help get them onto the lifeboat, whilst other crew recovered the kayak, once aboard the casualty was assessed and immediate casualty care provided en-route back to Girvan.

On arrival in Girvan, the casualty was handed into the care of the Scottish Ambulance Service for further treatment and assessment also on scene were HM Coastguard Girvan CRT Ballantrae Coastguard Rescue Team

The lifeboat was then made ready for the next service call.

Girvan Lifeboat Operations Manager John Gourlay said of the incident, thankfully our crew were already on station and were able to launch immediately to what turned out to be a time critical incident, this saved valuable minutes in this case and allowed us to achieve the best possible outcome for the casualty.

If you believe someone to be in trouble at sea or along our coast, please don't hesitate or think someone else has called already, dialled 999 straight away and ask for the coastguard, when in trouble at sea, minutes and seconds can make all the difference

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 146,000 lives.

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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.

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