Amble RNLI lifeboat assists kayakers in difficulty in local waters
Amble RNLI’s lifeboats were in action recently, assisting kayakers in difficulty off the North East coast on 17 November.
Both boats arrived on scene at the north end of Coquet Island where the conditions were poor with a two-metre swell and a northerly wind. There was no sign of the kayakers, so both boats searched the island’s coast before spotting a kayaker with his paddle raised at the south east of the island.
When both lifeboats arrived there was a person in the water, who the ILB crew quickly pulled to safety and transferred him onto the ALB. Another Mayday was received and a second casualty was found and transferred to the ALB.
The lifeboats then caught up with the rest of the group only to be advised that there was a further kayaker still missing. They quickly returned to the area to carry out a search when the ILB crew spotted the missing kayaker close to the shore. He was taken onto the lifeboat before being transferred onto the ALB.
The ILB then headed back to the four kayakers to make sure they were safe and proceeded to escort them back to the safety of Amble harbour as they said they were safe, so the ALB returned to station. While on their way back to the harbour, another kayaker capsized and was recovered into the ILB.
On return to station, the casualties were warmed up and passed onto the local Coastguard who were waiting for the lifeboats’ return.
Amble RNLI’s volunteer Lifeboat Operations Manager, John Wingfield said: ‘We can confirm that the lifeboat crew managed the situation to the highest standards of skill and professionalism.
‘Our volunteer crews train for a range of scenarios, including vessel mechanical failures and incidents such as these ones, and are fully prepared for such eventualities.’
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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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