Kyle RNLI rescue 17 year old kayaker stuck in the water for more than 2 hours
Kyle & Portree lifeboats, as well as the UK Coastguard helicopter from Stornoway, launched a search after the casualty capsized and was unable to get back into his kayak off Broadford on the Isle of Skye.
Kyle lifeboat Spirit of Fred. Olsen launched at 5:35pm after reports came in to the UK Coastguard that a 17 year old had been kayaking in Broadford bay, had capsized and was clinging to the upturned kayak.
The lifeboat made best speed in rough conditions, arriving on scene at 5:40pm, and immediately began searching for the missing teenager, however the worsening conditions and fading light made the search difficult. The kayaker had managed to contact a family member after he capsized, but they were then unable to get back in contact with him. Other members of the public had initially seen the casualty, but had lost sight of him as it began to get dark.
Portree lifeboat arrived on scene about 40 minutes later and they began assisting Kyle lifeboat in the search of the area around Broadford bay. Local Coastguard teams were searching the coastline, and local fishing boats launched and began assisting in the search efforts. At 6:40pm, the UK Coastguard helicopter arrived and began searching the area using their advanced equipment.
A short while later the helicopter located the casualty still clinging to his upturned kayak, and Kyle lifeboat retrieved him out of the water. After assessing the casualty, the crew began warming him up as he had been in the water for more than 2 hours, and made their way to the pier in Broadford where they handed him over to the Scottish Ambulance Service.
Kyle lifeboat left the scene at 7:40pm and returned to the station where the boat was refuelled and made ready for service by 8:00pm.
Norman Finlayson, Helm for Kyle’s RNLI Lifeboat, says: ‘The casualty was an experienced kayaker who was well equipped to be out on the water. Conditions were good when he went out, however unfortunately they began to deteriorate quite quickly. He did exactly the correct thing in taking and using his mobile phone to raise the alarm, and then staying with his kayak until he was located. He was wearing all the correct clothing to be out on the water, which made all the difference when spending that amount of time in the water’.
Notes to editors
· This is the 3rd shout of the year for the volunteers in Kyle
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Andrew MacDonald, Kyle of Lochalsh Lifeboat Press Officer on 07748 707606 or [email protected]
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Tom McGuire, Regional Communications Manager for Scotland and Ireland on [email protected]
RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.
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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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