RNLI volunteers rescue kayakers after emergency beacon activation

 December 01, 2024

Two North Pembrokeshire lifeboats participated in the rescue which also involved three land teams and a helicopter from HM Coastguard

The request came at 3.32pm on Saturday 30 November to launch the charity’s Trent class all-weather lifeboat Blue Peter VII following the activation of a personal locator beacon (PLB) in the area of Pwll Deri, south of Strumble Head.

Whilst making way information was received that a total of three PLBs had been activated relating to a group of seven sea kayakers, and that St Davids RNLI had also been requested to launch their Tamar class all-weather weather lifeboat Norah Wortley to attend the incident.

Coastguard teams from Fishguard, St Davids and Dale made their way to the area to assist with getting a visual of the kayakers with a coastguard helicopter also making its way to the location.

As the volunteer crew from Fishguard arrived in the area the kayaking group, who were rafted together on an isolated spot of shallow water, were located quickly thanks to red lights which had also been illuminated by the group. With a visual on the kayakers the coastguard team from Dale were stood down.

On scene it was established that the kayakers were an organised group under the leadership of an experienced leader with a second under assessment, but due to strengthening winds were struggling to make progress. Darkness was falling and they were close to the cliffs sheltering from the wind until help arrived, which initially made approach by the lifeboat difficult due to proximity to rocks. Due to the conditions and large size of the kayaks, the coxswain of Fishguard lifeboat determined the best course of action would be to recover the casualties onto the lifeboat, recovering the kayaks afterwards, only if safe to do so.

One by one the kayakers made their way over to the lifeboat from their rafted position where they were assisted onboard by lifeboat crew. As Fishguard crew were removing the first few casualties the coastguard helicopter arrived overhead, followed shortly by the volunteer crew from St Davids lifeboat.

With an agreed recovery plan of the casualties already under way, St Davids lifeboat assisted in retrieving three of the kayaks and other items from the water whilst the helicopter remained on scene until all casualties were safely on-board Fishguard lifeboat, at which point it was stood down.

With all casualties recovered and conditions pushing the kayaks away from the shore the volunteer crew from Fishguard recovered the remaining four kayaks and both lifeboats began to make way towards Fishguard.

Whilst on route casualty assessments were carried out on the kayakers, identifying that one was suffering from the cold, raising concerns of potential hypothermia and was provided assistance for this and kept under observation by casualty care trained crew.

On arriving at Fishguard the lifeboats came alongside each other to transfer the kayaks onto Fishguard lifeboat from St Davids lifeboat, who then stood down and began their return to station.

With all casualties and kayaks on-board, Fishguard lifeboat made its way into Lower Town where they were met by HM Coastguard Fishguard who took transfer of the casualties and their belongings into their care. With this the volunteer lifeboat crew were stood down and returned to station.

RNLI relief staff coxswain, Pete Yates, said:

‘The kayakers in this situation did everything correctly. They were experienced and had the correct equipment for their activity. They had initially attempted to make contact with HM Coastguard for assistance by handheld VHF and mobile phone by ringing 999, however due to their location under the cliffs clear communication could not be established. There were a number of personal locator beacons with the group, although the group were together, activating multiple beacons at once provided a very clear indication that we were looking for multiple casualties and provided a location to head to.

Personal locator beacons can be readily purchased, and provide an extra means of getting a message to emergency services that you need help, in addition to more traditional methods.

We would like to take the opportunity to remind all water users to ensure they carry sufficient means of contacting assistance appropriate to their activity and location around the coast, and that these should be kept within reach at all times.’