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Hayling RNLI Lifeboats rescue two kayakers and their dog.

Lifeboats News Release

A man, his son and their dog went out on 17 February in a double kayak, capsized, and were unable to get back on-board. The father became separated from the son who telephoned 999 for help and was rescued by the Hayling RNLI D-Class lifeboat.

A muddy crew member in full PPE looks muddy and wet as he prepares to hose himself down.

RNLI/Alan Bartlett

Muddy boat crew having a washdown after the rescue.
UK Coastguard requested a launch to search in the Thorney Channel of Chichester Harbour for the missing father and to go to the assistance of the 11 year old boy who had managed to get the kayak, dog and himself onto a mud bank. He couldn’t see his father so called on his mobile for help. As it was getting dark, and with a falling tide, both Hayling RNLI Lifeboats were launched and within minutes were on scene. The Coastguard also requested the Rescue Helicopter to attend to light up the area for the search.

The D-Class found the boy with kayak and dog and took them onto the lifeboat together with considerable mud! Meanwhile the Atlantic 85 Lifeboat searched for the father in the darkness to no avail. They were relieved to hear from the coastguard shore team that the father had made it ashore but in doing so had sustained a minor head injury. The helicopter paramedic was landed and checked the casualty who needed no further medical help.. The D-Class came ashore and reunited a relieved father with his son, dog, and kayak. The rescue services were stood down and the lifeboats and crew went back to the station for a thorough wash down and sanitize.

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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For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.

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