ON MONDAY (May 29) volunteer crew from RNLI Fishguard received a page from HM Coastguard to reports of two kayakers in difficulty just North of Dinas Head.
Crew were paged at 2.31pm by HM Coastguard requesting the immediate launch of the charity’s D Class inshore lifeboat Edward Arthur Richardson following a report of two kayakers in difficulty, one of whom was in the water and unable to get back on-board.
The volunteer crew made their way to the location in difficult conditions due to wind direction and an ebbing tide creating waves which also made it difficult to spot the casualties.
Once on scene the crew retrieved the casualty from the water, who was then wrapped in a survival bag to maintain body temperature and the second kayaker taken onboard. The casualties were then transported to the beach at Cwm-yr-Eglwys where they were met by coastguard teams from Fishguard and Moylgrove.
A local RIB (rigid inflatable boat) owner made their way to the location of the abandoned kayaks and set about towing them back to the beach. Once the casualties were safely ashore the lifeboat returned to escort the RIB the remainder of the way where crew then assisted in putting the kayaks ashore.
With the casualties being assessed by coastguard and ambulance the lifeboat made its way back to the station where it was refuelled and readied for service at 3.49pm.
Steve Grant, RNLI Fishguard Volunteer Lifeboat Helm, said: ‘Once we left the shelter of Fishguard harbour the sea conditions were challenging, but one of the casualties did the right thing by lifting their paddle in the air, making it easier to spot them and keep them in sight. They also had a mobile phone in a waterproof pouch which they were able to use to call 999 for help.’
