Fowey RNLI lifeboats rescue capsized kayaker

One kayak was semi-submerged with a 52 year old man in the water. Two other kayaks were also at the scene, each with one person onboard. The male casualty had been in the water for about half an hour, having capsized several times before.

The casualty was Dr Philip Coates and he explains what happened that day: ‘My wife and I went sea kayaking with a friend of mine who has many years of experience in sea kayaking...Having set off in good weather, after rounding Gribbin Head, I was finding my kayak increasingly unstable and difficult to control in choppy waters and capsized. I could not remove my spray deck and was trapped under the kayak for approximately one minute with the rest of the team around 100m from me. My friend conducted a successful rescue, and I was able to extract myself, although I was cold.

On the return leg, having arrived at Gribbin Head, the seas were choppier and there was a strong tide. I had problems staying in line with the other two kayaks, and then realised that my rudder was no longer functional. The tide had strengthened and the conditions were deteriorating. I capsized the kayak three further times and became increasingly cold. My friend rescued me each time, but I realised my core temperature was dropping, and I could not successfully regain access to the kayak. My hands and arms were increasingly weak, and the buoyancy of the vessel was severely compromised as it was flooded and we could not pump it out.

We fairly quickly came to conclusion that a rescue was required and a 999 call was placed, and RNLI attendance was requested.

I think I was in the water for half an hour to 40 minutes before the boat attended, with worsening shivering. I used the inverted boat for buoyancy, and remembered the float to live campaign by the RNLI and minimised my activity.

The RNLI team arrived at the same time as a small fishing vessel. I was recovered by the RNLI into their lifeboat. They immediately undertook active warming, initially performed successfully with a dry robe, and provided supplementary oxygen. I was met by an ambulance crew on return, and immediately placed in a shower and given warm fluids. Hospital admission was not required and I was able to leave after an hour or so, and was extremely grateful.’

If you find yourself in the water, do as Philip did and remember the guidance from the Float to Live campaign. Follow these five steps: Tilt your head back, submerging your ears. Relax and control your breathing. Gently move your hands and legs to help you stay afloat. Your legs may sink, that’s OK, everyone floats differently. Spread your arms and legs out to improve stability. Floating gives you the chance to rest and recover your breathing. Once you’ve regained control of your breathing, you can call for help or swim to safety.

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Cathy Baillie, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for RNLI South West, [email protected]

Amy Caldwell, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for South West England, 07920 818807, [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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