A COMPETITOR taking part in the Fishguard Bay Ocean Race from Goodwick to Newport sands on Saturday 22 August capsized and was unable to remount onto his surf-ski in difficult sea conditions with wind speeds of force 5, gusting force 6. He initiated his emergency orange-smoke distress flare whilst in the water and fortunately a keen-eyed member of the public onshore in Goodwick spotted the smoke and called HM Coastguard.
As a result both Fishguard RNLI lifeboats; the all-weather lifeboat and inshore lifeboat, launched within minutes of each other shortly before 11am and sped to the kayaker’s estimated position one mile E.N.E of the end of the Fishguard harbour northern breakwater and once located he and his surf ski were taken onboard the all-weather lifeboat. Whilst this operation was being conducted the all-weather lifeboat was re-tasked by HM Coastguard to go to Newquay, instead of deploying Newquay RNLI, as the Fishguard lifeboat was already on the water.Meanwhile a race safety boat had appeared on scene and the rescued kayaker and his surf-ski were transferred to this race safety boat in order that the all-weather lifeboat could re-deploy to Newquay but, at this point in time, another kayaker was thought to be missing by the race safety boat.
The all-weather lifeboat stood itself down from the Newquay incident, Newquay RNLI were tasked by HM Coastguard, and the Fishguard lifeboats then commenced a search of the race course. It was then established by the race safety boat that all competitors in the race were accounted for and were safe. The two Fishguard lifeboats were stood down and returned to base shortly before 1230pm.
