Porthdinllaen RNLI launch to kayaker in difficulty

A member of the public had been observing the kayaker from the clifftop and noticed that the kayaker, who had capsized earlier, was still in the water and struggling to get back onto their kayak.

With a compliment of volunteer crew onboard and Coxswain Owain Williams at the helm, the lifeboat made the best possible speed to the last known position of the casualty. While on route, regular updates were being received from the Coastguard about the casualty’s location.

Arriving on scene, within 15 minutes of launching, the lifeboat found that the casualty had thankfully managed to get ashore by his own means. Coxswain Owain decided that the all-weather lifeboat's onboard inflatable Y-class rescue boat, would be launched so an assessment could be carried out.

Two casualty care trained crew members went ashore in the Y boat to assess his condition, and happy that the casualty needed no further medical assistance, he was handed over to the care of the Aberdaron Coastguard Rescue Team. The lifeboat returned to station and was washed, refuelled and ready for service by 5pm.

Kenneth Fitzpatrick, Lifeboat Operations Manager at Porthdinllaen added:

'We would like to thank the member of the public who noticed that the kayaker was in difficulty and contacted the Coastguard.

'As always, we advise that the correct safety equipment is used by anyone who ventures out to sea. It’s important to inform either a family member or friend of what your intentions are and when you can expect to be back. I'd also like to thank our colleagues at Aberdaron Coastguard for their assistance today.'

RNLI media contacts
For more information please contact Porthdinllaen Lifeboat Press Officer, Dylan Parry Thomas on [email protected] or 07747 600 019.

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The RNLI is the charity that 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 146,700 lives.

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