Late night rescue for Aberystwyth RNLI

The volunteer crew were paged by HM Coastguard shortly before 10pm, after a kayaker had become too exhausted to paddle to safety and was now on a secluded beach as the tide was rising.

The crew launched Aberystwyth RNLI’s Atlantic 85 class lifeboat Florence and Ernest Bowles, and once on scene, liaised with New Quay Coastguard Rescue Team to agree the best course of action.

The lifeboat got in as shallow as it could do safely, then a crew member swam ashore to the casualty, before giving them a lifejacket. Having ensured the casualty was in a good state, both were then pulled back to the lifeboat using the towline.

The casualty was then taken to Llanrhystud slipway just a short distance away where they were left to the care of the awaiting Coastguard team. Having concluded their tasking, the lifeboat team were stood down.

After the shout, Helm Paul Williams said:

‘Tonight, we were able to assist the kayaker who was too exhausted to get themselves to safety. Our crew worked with the Coastguard to follow the best course of action to ensure their safety, and after almost two hours everyone was safe and we could make our way back to the boathouse.’

By midnight, the crew had washed down the boat and returned her to the boathouse, ready to save lives at sea once more.

Paul added:

‘When going out to sea, by kayak, paddleboard or any other means, it is vital that you have a way to contact help, and this shout gives evidence to that. You can never know what might happen when you’re on the water and so being able to call 999 when you or someone else needs help can be lifesaving.’

Notes to editors

• Image credits: RNLI/Billy Swanson
• Aberystwyth lifeboat station has been operating since 1861. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to: rnli.org/Aberystwyth

RNLI media contacts

For more information contact Billy Swanson, RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer at [email protected].

Alternatively you can contact Claire Fitzpatrick-Smith, Regional Communications Manager on 07977 728315 or [email protected], or the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI is the charity that 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 146,700 lives.

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