Lifeboats News Release
Kirkwall RNLI assist Kayak group in distress off Shapinsay
Date: 10/05/2009
Author: Graeme Smith, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer
Kirkwall RNLI Lifeboat, Margaret Foster was called out for the fourth time in three weeks to assist a party of kayakers with one capsized off Galt Skerry Shapinsay this morning (Sunday 10 May).
A party of five kayakers were off Galt Skerry to the North of Shapinsay when one capsized in choppy seas and could not get back into his kayak. The team leader put out a mayday call on his VHF radio and Shetland Coastguard requested the RNLI to assist, issuing a page alert at 9.50am. Kirkwall RNLI all weather lifeboat departed station at 9.55am, a very fast launch as some crew were already at the station.
The lifeboat made for the Galt and arrived on scene at 10.12am to find local boat ‘Fair Fortune’ had recovered the casualty from the water. Two other vessels were also assisting, ‘Millennium’ and Orkney Ferries’ ‘Earl Sigurd’ who had launched their rescue boat to assist.
The casualty was transferred to the lifeboat and his kayak was also taken aboard. The remaining four members of the party decided to call off their trip and they also made their way to the lifeboat escorted by a small inflatable Y boat. When all of the party were on board and accounted for the lifeboat departed the scene at 10.55am returning to station at 11.25am where all were put ashore safely. The lifeboat was refueled, ready for service again at 11.35am.
Kirkwall RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer , Graeme Smith says: ‘It was good to see the party’s team leader made the right decision to call for assistance early before things got out of control in deteriorating sea conditions and very encouraging to see they have a good sense of safety by carrying a VHF radio.’
Notes to editors
- Kirkwall lifeboat station has been operating since 1972.
- To learn more about the lifeboat station go to www.rnli.org.uk/kirkwall
RNLI media contacts
For more information please telephone Graeme Smith, RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 01856 871207 or mobile 0783 007 1968 or Kirkwall@fsmail.net or Rachel Martin Media Relations Manager Scotland on 07786 668903 or ramartin@rnli.org.uk or contact RNLI Public Relations on 01202 336789
RNLI Public Relations: 01202 336789 or pressoffice@rnli.org.uk.
RNLI online: For more information on the RNLI please visit www.rnli.org.uk. News releases and other media resources, including RSS feeds, downloadable photos and video, are available at the RNLI Press Centre.
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 over 230 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and has more than 140 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK. 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 137,000 lives.
Visit the RNLI's official YouTube channel for more films and follow our rescue stories on Twitter.
A charity registered in England and Wales (209603) and Scotland (SC037736). Charity number CHY 2678 in the Republic of Ireland.
