Kayakers saved from water in gale

At 1551 hours on Saturday 2^nd March 2019 UK Coastguard requested the launch of Helensburgh RNLI Lifeboat to attend 3 persons in the water hanging onto kayaks opposite the old Navy Buildings at Greenock. The weather was force 6 gusting force 10. The lifeboat launched at 1559 hours and arrived on scene at 1605 hours. A search was necessary together with the pilot vessel Gantock. Visibility at the time was less than a mile. The first person was found at 1610 hours. At 1617 hours the lifeboat located a further person. All were taken from the water by the lifeboat crew. The lifeboat boat and Gantock then approached the third person who was making his own way ashore. He was taken aboard the Gantock as he was exhausted. An ambulance was requested. At 1620 hours the first two were landed by the lifeboat and the third by the Gantock into the care of the paramedics. A fourth person had made it ashore safely. The lifeboat returned to station at 1730 hours.

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 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 142,700 lives.

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