Redcar Lifeboat Rescues Kayaker

Redcar RNLI assists capsized kayaker

Date: 22/03/2009

Author: Dave Cocks, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer

Reference: Redcar 007 2009

RNLI lifeboats from Redcar were called out this afternoon (Sunday 22 March 2009) at 2.20pm to assist a kayaker after his craft capsized in strong winds near the mouth of the River Tees.

The 31 year-old man from Berwick Hills, Middlesbrough, was on his first venture out to sea in a kayak. When the craft capsized, he managed to make his way to a second kayak nearby. When the Redcar inshore lifeboat Jacky Hunsley’arrived, they found the man still in the water, clinging to the second kayak.

The man in that craft was attempted to paddle to the shore, but was making poor progress against strong westerly winds. The lifeboat crew pulled the man from the sea and returned him to the shore at an area known locally as German Charlie’s on the seaward side of the South Gare near Redcar.

Meanwhile the Redcar lifeboat Leicester Challenge 2 retrieved the capsized kayak, which contained the man’s personal possessions and car keys, and took it back to the shore.

Andy Beevis, Redcar RNLI volunteer crewmember said, ‘When we got there, the man in the water told us he was tired and hardly able to hang on to the kayak, so we immediately pulled him aboard the lifeboat. The man who was paddling also told us he was tiring because he was having to paddle into the strong wind.”

Tony Jamieson, Redcar RNLI Sea Safety Officer said, ‘This incident demonstrates the importance of going to sea properly equipped. The kayaker had good protective clothing and was wearing a buoyancy aid. There’s plenty good advice from the RNLI on their website about the correct types of flares, VHF radio and lifejackets which should be used so that people can enjoy the sea safely and raise the alarm if they get into difficulties. We also do free Safety Equipment and Advice – SEA – checks for boat owners. These can be arranged through the lifeboat station or the RNLI website.’

For more information visit www.rnli.org.uk and click on ‘Sea and beach safety’.

Ends

Notes to editors

* Redcar lifeboat station has been operating since 1802.
* Photographs of Redcar lifeboats and crewmembers can be downloaded from www.redcarlifeboat.org.uk/Pages/album/album.htm. Any images used must be credited “RNLI Redcar”.
* Details of rescues can be found at www.redcarlifeboat.org.uk/Pages/services/services.html

RNLI media contacts

For more information please telephone Dave Cocks, RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07894 558 483 or email press@redcarlifeboat.org.uk or contact RNLI Public Relations on 01202 336789.

RNLI online

For more information on the RNLI please visit www.rnli.org.uk. News releases and other media resources, including RSS feeds, downloadable photos and video, are available at the RNLI Press Centre www.rnli.org.uk/press

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 over 230 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and has more than 100 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK. 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 137,000 lives.

A charity registered in England and Wales (209603) and Scotland (SCO37736). Charity number CHY 2678 in the Republic of Ireland.

Download photo – Andy Beevis

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