Macduff lifeboat called to assist kayakers adrift off Portsoy
Macduff lifeboat called to assist kayakers adrift off Portsoy
Lifeboats News Release
The volunteer crew at Macduff RNLI Lifeboat were paged by the UK Coastguard in Aberdeen at 3 pm this afternoon to assist two young kayakers who had got in to difficulty off Portsoy.
RNLI
Kayak and two people adrift off Portsoy, Aberdeenshire
An offshore breeze had pushed the inflatable two person kayak out to sea leaving the young kayakers unable to paddle back to shore. The alarm was raised by an adult on the shore at Portsoy.
When the lifeboat arrived on scene at 3:27 pm the kayak was about 2 km (1.1 nm) out at sea with Coastguard helicopter, Rescue 151 from Inverness, hovering overhead. Helmsman, Ritchie Wallace put the lifeboat alongside the kayak, and the young male and female occupants were brought aboard the lifeboat by crew members, Rob Smith and Kyle Park.
The inflatable kayak was also put aboard the lifeboat and was taken in to Portsoy harbour where the casualties and their vessel were handed over to members of the local coastguard station.
A paramedic from Rescue 151 was winched down on to the harbour to provide medical assistance should it be required.
The crew from Macduff RNLI stood down and returned to station, where the lifeboat was recovered, washed, refuelled and returned ready for service at 5 pm.
Notes for editors
• RNLI Macduff lifeboat Lydia Macdonald (B-804) is a B class Atlantic 85 which carries four crew.
• Lydia Macdonald is unique within the RNLI being the only lifeboat that is stored, transported, launched and recovered from an LGV with its own crane. This method of launch allows the lifeboat to be launched from other locations should the need arise.
RNLI media contacts
Mike Rawlins, Lifeboat Press Officer, 07720288366, [email protected]
Natasha Bennett, RNLI Regional Media Officer for Scotland, 07826 900639, [email protected]
Martin Macnamara, RNLI Regional Media Manager for Scotland, 07920 365929, [email protected]
RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789
RNLI online
For more information on the RNLI please visit rnli.org. News releases and other media resources, including RSS feeds, downloadable photos and video, are available at the RNLI News Centre rnli.org/news-and-media.
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 over 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 142,200 lives.
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.
