Capsized kayaker sparks Girvan Lifeboat Rescue

This evening, Thursday 8th June at 20:57 Girvan Lifeboat was requested to Launch to a reported kayaker in difficulty.

Within a few minutes the lifeboat was on scene to the 2 kayakers, where one had capsized and was in the water whilst the other was keeping the capsized kayak and casualty held against their own kayak.

Our volunteer crew quickly recovered the casualty from the water & the capsized kayak and provided casualty care on the way back to Girvan and further assessments were carried out at the lifeboat station, once the casualty was a bit warmer with a wee cuppa and our casualty care trained crew were happy no further medical intervention was required, the casualty was released into the care of their family.

Coxwain Callum Govus said of the rescue "In this instance the kayakers did the right thing, they had the correct safety equipment, lifejackets and means of calling for help, this enabled a rescue to be initiated and the casualty recovered in a relatively quick time, having the right safety equipment and a way to call for help is vital when participating in any water based activities along our coastline"

If you are in trouble or believe someone else to be in trouble at sea or along the coast, don't hesitate, dial 999, and ask for the Coastguard.

Further information and safety advice on kayaking and canoeing can be found here on the RNLI website https://rnli.org/safety/choose-your-activity/kayaking-and-canoeing#summary

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.

Learn more about the RNLI

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.