UKSG6 - Fund Raising

The organisers would like to inform you that we hope to do some fundraising at this year's Storm Gathering.

The intention is to raise money for the RNLI and Qajaq Japan's Tsumani Relief Fund.

Prizes have been donated by Kokatat, Blue Water Kayak Works, Fat Paddler, Joe O Paddles and Mitchell Blades.

Look out for ticket sellers over the weekend and the draw will occur on Monday morning.

MCA Annual Canoe & Kayak Report

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency has just published its annual canoeing and kayaking report which gives national statistics for 2010. 

Last year there were 456 canoeing and kayaking incidents in the UK. These included incidents where people got into difficulty due to underestimating weather and tidal conditions, lacked skill or were ill prepared. Abandoned kayaks and false alarms are incorporated within this statistic. Sadly, nine fatalities are also included. 

Report highlights include:

If boat owners put contact details on their craft and joined the CG66 small boat safety scheme the coastguard would be able to identify owners quickly and easily. This would result in fewer needless searches.

Kayakers and canoeists are encouraged to report their proposed activities to the appropriate coastguard maritime rescue coordination centre by routine telephone call or marine band radio.

If canoeists and kayakers are planning to leave their vehicles in public places for more than two days they should contact the coastguard.

The coastguard is receiving increasing reports of paddlers in difficulty which turn out to be kayakers fishing. If people are fishing they should contact the coastguard, by VHF radio if they have one or by telephone using the routine telephone number, to avoid wasted searches.

Some canoeists and kayakers are not wearing buoyancy aids or lifejackets – these are essential safety kit.

Participants who hired canoes and kayaks got into difficulty because they did not check weather and sea conditions.

Considering the total number of incidents throughout the year and the increasing number of paddling sport participants there were relatively few fatalities related to canoeing or kayaking incidents. 

You can download the complete report here

The following statistic were recently published within a thread on UK Sea Kayak Guidebook by an RNLI representative

2010: RNLI launched to paddlers 253 times out of a total of 8,713.
2009: RNLI launched to paddlers 274 times out of a total of 9,223.
2008: RNLI launched to paddlers 241 times out of a total of 8,293.

And here's a break down of the causes of those launches to paddlers:

2010 launches to paddlers:Adverse weather and conditions 114
Equipment failure 0
Man over board 24
Stranding/collision/nav failure 11
Person in difficulty 1
Other 103

2009 launches to paddlers: 
Adverse weather and conditions 138
Equipment failure 0
Man over board 26
Stranding/collision/nav failure 13
Person in difficulty 6
Other 91

2008 launches to paddlers:
Adverse weather and conditions 116
Equipment failure 2
Man over board 24
Stranding/collision/nav failure 6
Person in difficulty 9
Other 84

The 'other' category includes false alarms with good intent and malicious hoax calls, assistance by other people, searches where the casualty is not found or found by others, and incidents where the casualty has sorted out the situation themselves.

Incident Report

Humber Coastguard requested the launch of both Bridlington RNLI lifeboats on Saturday 14 May, after receiving a call that two kayak-type boats were in trouble off the coast at Barmston. 

The inshore lifeboat (ILB) Windsor Spirit made its way quickly to the area with Helmsman Grant Walkington and Crew Members Pete Jones and Jason Stephenson aboard. 

On arrival in the area a 10-year-old boy could be seen in the water trying to hold on to his father's kayak. The boy's father was trying to paddle back to the beach but was not making any head way in the gusting offshore winds. 

After lifting the young boy from the sea the ILB crew quickly wrapped him up. The boy's father - who was still not making any head way - also asked to be taken ashore. The ILB beached with father, son and one kayak. The young boy was given more covering against the cold until further help arrived. 

Helmsman Walkington said: 'They were both well equipped with wet suits, helmets and lifejackets but the wind caught them out. The lad just could not get back in his boat and his dad was unable to help him.' 

Meanwhile, the RNLI volunteers on the all-weather lifeboat Marine Engineer searched for the second kayak, which was found a great distance away due to strong winds.

Support the RNLI by becoming a member or making a donation.

Incident Report

A canoeist has died after being pulled from the sea off the coast of Eigg. 

A passing vessel alerted the coastguard at about 1700 BST on Sunday after a person was spotted in the water. The crew pulled the man, who has not been named, on board and was pronounced dead at the scene. 

The Mallaig lifeboat and coastguard helicopter based at Stornoway were involved in the operation. The man's body was taken to Mallaig harbour then by ambulance to hospital in Fort William. 

A spokeswoman for Northern Constabulary said there did not appear to be any suspicious circumstances. A report has been submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.

Support the RNLI by becoming a member or making a donation.

Incident Report

A man and a woman are recovering this evening after they were found with their sailing dinghy on Loch Bracadale. 

Stornoway Coastguard were contacted by Falmouth Coastguard at 9.20 pm this evening to report that a personal locator beacon (PLB) was transmitting from a position in the Isle of Skye area. Stornoway Coastguard made some enquiries and discovered that the PLB belonged to a 49-year old local man. They spoke to his father who told them that his son was an experienced kayaker. A short while later the husband of a woman made a 999 call to the Coastguard reporting that his wife, who had gone out dinghy sailing with a friend in the same area had not returned and he was concerned for her safety. 

Whilst the Coastguard pieced all of this information together, they also scrambled the Stornoway Coastguard helicopter and requested the launch of the Mallaig RNLI lifeboat. They also discussed the incident with the Dunvegan Coastguard Rescue Team, who reported that one of their members had seen the dinghy in question earlier in the evening. The team were therefore sent to spot the vessel from the shore. A police officer from Portree Police also attended the scene. 

Due to the locator beacon, the helicopter and lifeboat were able to find the pair with ease. They had been sailing a wayfarer sailing dinghy which had capsized and had problems with its sails. When the helicopter arrived they were attempting to row the dinghy to shore. The helicopter airlifted the pair to Broadford Hospital landing site. They were then taken on to hospital where they were treated for mild hypothermia. 

Carol Collins, Stornoway Coastguard Watch Manager says..."It is unusual for us to receive personal locator beacon hits, but in this case, this was the ideal piece of communications equipment for these people to be carrying. It meant that we were able to locate them swiftly and ensure that we got the right help to them quickly".

Support the RNLI by becoming a member or making a donation.

Incident Report

Two kayakers were rescued by Redcar RNLI after the pair began drifting towards rocks when one lost a paddle and the second tried to help. 

One of the kayakers used a mobile phone to dial 999 to raise the alarm and Humber Coastguard tasked the Redcar RNLI lifeboat to go to their assistance. The two men, both from Redcar, were picked up within two minutes of the lifeboat launching and returned to the beach unharmed. 

Dave Cocks from Redcar RNLI said: 'The two were fishing off Redcar when it appears that one of the kayakers either lost or damaged his paddle. The other went to assist but they both found themselves drifting towards the rocks. The seas weren't very rough but they were concerned for their own safety so they did the right thing by calling for help. 

'They were equipped with life jackets and we're always pleased to see that when we get alongside. 

'The advice is to take a marine VHF radio when anybody goes to sea. A mobile phone may not always get a signal and the coastguard can direction-find a VHF radio signal. 

'We had an incident a few weeks ago when another kayaker tried to use his mobile phone to raise the alarm and it became waterlogged. Fortunately on that occasion he was spotted from the shore and the alarm was raised.'

Support the RNLI by becoming a member or making a donation.

Incident Report

Howth RNLI’s All Weather Lifeboat (ALB) launched this afternoon to reports of five endangered kayakers whose kayak had over turned. 

The lifeboat crew assisted in the search for the endangered kayakers, who were in the water off Malahide, while a full gale force wind blew. With sea conditions being so rough, the coastguard helicopter also attended, eventually winching two of the kayakers on board. 

The remaining kayakers managed to scramble onto the north beach at Malahide. The helicopter subsequently winched them to safety, and transferred them to awaiting ambulances at Dublin Airport. 

It has been a busy period for Howth Lifeboat crew, who have been tasked three times this week alone. The pleasant weather has increased number of people using the sea for pleasure, simultaneously increasing the demand for the 24 hour rescue service the RNLI provides. 

Howth Lifeboat Operations Manager Rupert Jeffares says...“It is imperative to check the weather before putting to sea for any reason, these kayakers were extremely lucky today given the rough conditions”.

Support the RNLI by becoming a member or making a donation.

Incident Report

A kayaker was rescued from the sea off Redcar by RNLI lifeboat after he capsized, leaving him clinging to the upturned craft.

The alarm was raised just after 4pm when the kayak was seen to be upturned by waves, approximately a quarter of a mile from the lifeboat station on the Esplanade, Redcar. 

Coastwatch Redcar contacted Humber Coastguard who requested the launch of the Redcar RNLI inshore lifeboat Jacky Hunsley. 

The man was quickly found and brought ashore to the lifeboat station where crew members and the RNLI doctor gave first aid and carried out medical checks. 

Dave Cocks from Redcar RNLI said: 'The man was picked up about a quarter of a mile out from the lifeboat station. The incoming tide was causing a bit of a jumble of waves and his kayak was hit side-on by a wave, making it overturn. 

'Luckily he was spotted and the lifeboat was quickly on scene. 

'He was shivering violently and he told the crew he had inhaled some seawater, so we called for our doctor to give him a check-over. Fortunately his lungs were clear.' 

The man, aged 55 years from Middlesbrough, told the RNLI crew he had been fishing from the kayak when the wave struck. He had been immersed in the sea for around 10 minutes, clinging to the capsized kayak, before he was able to right it and climb back on board. 

Dave Cocks added: 'The man was well equipped as far as wearing a buoyancy aid and wetsuit, but he only had a mobile phone to raise the alarm and that had become waterlogged. 

'We always advise anyone who goes out on the sea to take a waterproof marine VHF radio to raise the alarm, and to get proper training in how to use it. The radio puts the person in trouble in direct contact with the coastguards who can then direction-find their location, making rescue much more straightforward.'

Support the RNLI by becoming a member or making a donation.

Incident Report

Falmouth Coastguard received several 999 calls after a red flare was spotted between Falmouth and the Helford River (MCA Press Release)

Falmouth Coastguard sent the volunteer Coastguards from Falmouth Coastguard Rescue team to search the shoreline and the RNLI All-weather Lifeboat and Inshore Boat from Falmouth to search the water. The Royal Navy Rescue Helicopter from RNAS Culdrose was also sent to join in the search. 

In heavy seas with poor visibility, and with the support of the Tanker Cape Daly which was anchored in Falmouth Bay, the inshore boat quickly located one kayaker who had capsized and was in the sea. He told the crew of the Inshore Lifeboat that a second kayaker was also missing. He was found minutes later by the helicopter out of his boat and in the water. He was winched by the helicopter and both kayakers were then flown to hospital in Truro with suspected hypothermia. 

The Falmouth All-weather Lifeboat was able to recover both kayaks and one of the paddles to avoid any confusion should they be spotted in the sea or washed ashore.

Falmouth Coastguard Watch Manager Peter Bullard said we understand they are experienced kayakers and were well equipped but they're still lucky that in such poor weather their distress flare was seen.

We always advise anyone venturing onto the sea in such challenging conditions to be realistic about their abilities and always advise their nearest Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre of their intentions.

Support the RNLI by becoming a member or making a donation.

Incident Report

Sixteen kayakers have been rescued from strong tides off Portland Bill, Dorset, after getting into difficulties (MCA Press Release).

The group, from Upper Hamble Canoe Club in Hampshire, made two mayday calls about 1600 GMT, saying they were in trouble. 

A rescue helicopter and two lifeboats were sent from Weymouth. All 16 kayakers were rescued onto the boats. 

Two were then airlifted to hospital, one very seasick and the other with suspected hypothermia and shock. 

A spokesman for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency said the group - two leaders and 14 members - had been well-equipped, and had a mobile phone and radio with them. 

However, he was unsure if they were aware of the particular conditions in the Race, where tides on both sides of the promontory meet at the tip of Portland Bill and cause very turbulent water. 

The group had become separated into two groups, one group of which had been swept into the Race itself. 

"If people get stuck in there it can be very dangerous, especially for smaller vessels and kayakers," the spokesman said. 

He described the rescue as "fairly complicated" because of the encroaching darkness. Two rescue helicopters used their floodlights to illuminate the rescue.

Support the RNLI by becoming a member or making a donation.