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Kippford RNLI rescue six kayakers
On Thursday 13 August, Kippford RNLI volunteers were paged to respond to a 999 call from a group of kayakers who had found themselves in difficulty in the strong tides at Southerness.
The crew were alerted just before 2.45pm and the D Class lifeboat Ronnie Sinclair was on the water in less than ten minutes making best speed to the casualties last known location at Southerness. With a force 2 wind and only a slight sea state the lifeboat was able to reach the casualties in less than 20 minutes.
On arrival the crew discovered two adults and four children aboard two inflatable kayaks which had drifted on the strong tide and the group were unable to safely return to shore.
After an initial assessment it was decided to take the four children on to the lifeboat and return them to shore first. The lifeboat then assisted the two adults back to land along with the kayaks where they were handed into the care of Portling Coastguard Rescue Team.
An off duty Kippford RNLI volunteer crew member was on scene in a rigid inflatable boat and assisted with securing the kayaks.
Kippford lifeboat helm, John Roberston, said: ‘Although this incident had a good outcome it’s a timely reminder about the power of the tides in our area. In this case, the casualties quickly realised they were in difficulty and thankfully had the means to call the coastguard for assistance.
‘My advice to kayakers and paddleboarders is check the tides, be aware of the limitations of your group, ensure everyone is wearing a lifejacket and always carry a device to call for help.’
Once all six people were safely recovered the lifeboat made it’s way back to Kippford where it was received by the waiting shore crew volunteers. The boat was cleaned, refuelled and made ready for service again just after 4.30pm.
Notes to editors
· Kippford Lifeboat Station has been operating since 1966. To learn more about the station go to https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/kippford-lifeboat-station
· Attached stock photo of Kippford lifeboat
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For further information, please contact:
Laura Wilson, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for RNLI Scotland, [email protected]
Richard Smith, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for Scotland, 07826 900639, [email protected]
Martin Macnamara, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for Scotland, 07920 365929, [email protected]
RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789, [email protected]
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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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