Cleethorpes Lifeboat rescues kayaker in water
The volunteer crew of Cleethorpes RNLI were tasked by the Coastguard on Friday 9 February following a Mayday call.
After a brief search by the Lifeboat, Coastguard Rescue Team and nearby commercial vessels, the upturned kayak was spotted by a commercial vessel, the Kitty Petra, who then guided the lifeboat to the location.
The RNLI crew found the kayaker still holding on to his kayak, although tired and wet having been in the water for at least 30 minutes.
Taking the casualty on board, he was given initial first aid while being taken to shore, where he was handed over to the Coastguard and Ambulance, making his own way up the beach from the Lifeboat to their vehicles.
Ben Carpenter, Water Safety Lead at Cleethorpes RNLI, said, "Because the kayaker was wearing a drysuit and buoyancy aid, carrying a VHF radio and stayed with his vessel, our crew were able to locate them much more quickly and this would have contributed to a better outcome today."
Matt McNally, ILB Helm at Cleethorpes, said. "We're very grateful for the actions of the crew of the Kitty Petra, who enabled us to conclude this rescue sooner than if they had not diverted to the search."
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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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