Near Disaster

[glennk]

This happened yesterday to a couple of the lads from up this way. Its posted here in hope it might be helpful to anyone heading out for the first time.

 

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Redcar RNLI assists capsized kayaker

 

Date: 22/03/2009

 

Author: Dave Cocks, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer

 

Reference: Redcar 007 2009

 

RNLI lifeboats from Redcar were called out this afternoon (Sunday 22 March 2009) at 2.20pm to assist a kayaker after his craft capsized in strong winds near the mouth of the River Tees.

 

The 31 year-old man from Berwick Hills, Middlesbrough, was on his first venture out to sea in a kayak. When the craft capsized, he managed to make his way to a second kayak nearby. When the Redcar inshore lifeboat Jacky Hunsley'arrived, they found the man still in the water, clinging to the second kayak.

 

The man in that craft was attempted to paddle to the shore, but was making poor progress against strong westerly winds. The lifeboat crew pulled the man from the sea and returned him to the shore at an area known locally as German Charlie's on the seaward side of the South Gare near Redcar.

 

Meanwhile the Redcar lifeboat Leicester Challenge 2 retrieved the capsized kayak, which contained the man's personal possessions and car keys, and took it back to the shore.

 

Andy Beevis, Redcar RNLI volunteer crewmember said, 'When we got there, the man in the water told us he was tired and hardly able to hang on to the kayak, so we immediately pulled him aboard the lifeboat. The man who was paddling also told us he was tiring because he was having to paddle into the strong wind."

 

Tony Jamieson, Redcar RNLI Sea Safety Officer said, 'This incident demonstrates the importance of going to sea properly equipped. The kayaker had good protective clothing and was wearing a buoyancy aid. There's plenty good advice from the RNLI on their website about the correct types of flares, VHF radio and lifejackets which should be used so that people can enjoy the sea safely and raise the alarm if they get into difficulties. We also do free Safety Equipment and Advice - SEA - checks for boat owners. These can be arranged through the lifeboat station or the RNLI website.'

 

For more information visit www.rnli.org.uk and click on 'Sea and beach safety'.

[maidstonemike]

A classic example of the result of not being properly familiarised with deep water re-entry. It is essential that a novice kayaker does things slowly, not go straight out to sea unprepared.

A lucky man to survive.

I would like to see with every new kayak purchased, a full standard safety advice guide, big and bold, with all the common sense issues addressed.

I have bought three new kayaks, and not one piece of safety advice was given at all either written or from the seller, disgraceful.

Perhaps a mandatory training period and licence before being allowed to use any craft on the sea would save lives.

Edited March 26, 2009 by maidstonemike

[Brian Carragher]

I'm not sure what Mike means in his post above but the kyaker in question was not on his own, he was being escorted by an experienced kyaker and both had all the protective and pfd gear required

 

Andy Beavis the RNLI helsman quoted above who took out the boat to the 'rescue' is my next door neighbour and neither he nor the lifeboat crew had any criticism of the yakkers involved

 

As the RNLI say when it comes to launch the boat its better to err on the side of caution and launch than to regret not calling them out earlier

[dav]

Thanks for that brian , Will you do me a big favour mate and THANK your neighbour and the other lads on the life boat that put themselves in danger and plucked my mate from the water and re assured me all was ok ....If it were not for them my mate and even me might not be here today to continue on our fishy journey......Thanks R.N.L.I........

[Volusian]

Thanks for that brian , Will you do me a big favour mate and THANK your neighbour and the other lads on the life boat that put themselves in danger and plucked my mate from the water and re assured me all was ok ....If it were not for them my mate and even me might not be here today to continue on our fishy journey......Thanks R.N.L.I........

 

glad to hear all was well in the end .....

[Guest Brumagem Phil]

I'm not sure what Mike means in his post above but the kyaker in question was not on his own, he was being escorted by an experienced kyaker and both had all the protective and pfd gear required

 

Andy Beavis the RNLI helsman quoted above who took out the boat to the 'rescue' is my next door neighbour and neither he nor the lifeboat crew had any criticism of the yakkers involved

 

As the RNLI say when it comes to launch the boat its better to err on the side of caution and launch than to regret not calling them out earlier

 

I've heard more than one RNLI man say this.

 

The sea looks so benign and many people get into trouble when the elements turn even slightly angry. Seems these guys were decently prepared but just got into a spot of bother......could happen to anyone.

 

I'm toying with the idea of a yak myself. I used to canoe a bit when i was younger and fancy the idea of paddling around a bit. You can be sure that if I do get one, I'll be on here picking peoples brains for useful safety info though.

 

Glad all ended well for these guys.

[Richard72]

You really have to know what you're doing when sea fishing. I'm glad it all ended well but that guy must have been bloody freezing in the water.

I'm soft and stick to the mainland!