Sennen Cove RNLI Volunteers launch to kayakers in difficulties
Our RNLI volunteers were tasked by HM Coastguard Falmouth on Sunday 18 May following a call for help from five kayakers off Gwennap Head.
The Kayakers had left Porthgwarra and ventured west around the coast and towards Longships Lighthouse. On returning to Porthgwarra they were caught out by the strong tidal flow which prevented them from returning to the cove and pushed them offshore.
The Kayakers were well equipped with VHF radios, mobile phones and other safety equipment, so were able to call HM Coastguard Falmouth to inform them of their situation.
The Tamar class all-weather lifeboat ‘City of London III’ launched at 2.33pm under the command of Coxswain Nick Hichens with a total of seven crew.
Our colleagues from the National Coastwatch Institution at Gwennap Head were able to keep an eye on the Kayakers, and confirm their safety, while the RNLI volunteers proceeded to the scene.
The lifeboat located the Kayakers approximately three quarters of a mile west-north-west of Gwennap head, exhausted and relieved to receive help.
RNLI volunteers recovered each of the casualties and their kayaks and brought them into Porthgwarra. The all-weather lifeboat’s smaller Y boat was deployed and each casualty was then individually escorted ashore at Porthgwarra.
Once all the kayakers were safely ashore, the lifeboat returned to Sennen Cove, where she was recovered up the long slip at 3.40pm and was made ready for her next service.
Coxswain Nick Hichens said;
‘The Kayakers did everything right on the day. They’d taken note of local advice and guidance but were still unfortunate to get caught out by the strong tidal flow which prevented them from returning to Porthgwarra.
They were very well equipped and able to make a call to the coastguard when help was needed’.
•If you get into difficulty in the water, #FloatToLive .
.
Calling for help
• Carry a means of calling for help and keep it
on you at all times.
Weather and tides
• Check the forecast and tide times.
In case of emergency
• If you find yourself in danger in the water, float to
live.
• If you see someone in trouble at the coast, call 999
or 112 and ask for the coastguard.
Find out more at RNLI.org/safety
Ends
Media contacts
For more information, please telephone Tim Stevens, Lifeboat Press Officer on 07971518403 or [email protected] or Emma Haines, RNLI Regional Communications Manager, on 07786 668847 or [email protected]; or Amy Caldwell, RNLI Regional Communications Lead, on 07920 818807 or [email protected] or the RNLI Duty Press Office on 01202 336789.
RNLI online
For more information, please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the RNLI News Centre.
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 over 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and, in a normal year, 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 more than 146,000 lives.
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.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok 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.