KAYAKER FOUND FOLLOWING MAJOR SEARCH

A kayaker, who was unaware of the major search being carried out for him, has been found, safe and well, off Appin.
The alarm was raised, just before 3.00 pm, when the man’s partner reported to Clyde Coastguard that he had not arrived at Cuil Bay as expected. Clyde Coastguard asked the Fort William and Appin Coastguard Rescue Teams to begin a search, requested the Oban Lifeboat to launch and scrambled the RAF rescue helicopter from Lossiemouth.
About 40 minutes later, a man meeting the kayaker’s description was located by the Appin Coastguard Rescue Team and confirmed by the helicopter to be the missing man. During the search Clyde Coastguard had tried repeatedly to contact the kayaker both by VHF radio and by mobile phone, without success. The kayaker had apparently heard that there was a search ongoing, but had not realised that they were searching for him, despite the fact that the coastguard had asked for the kayaker by name.
Calum Murray, Clyde Coastguard Watch Manager says:
“We are, of course, very pleased that the man is safe and well. However, we would like to remind kayakers and other small boat users to inform a shore contact where they are going and when they expect to be back, remembering to update them with any changes in plan. In this case, the kayaker had apparently always planned to go to Appin, but his partner was not aware of this. You may also like to inform your local coastguard station of your plans.
“Please also remember that it is pointless carrying communications equipment such as a VHF radio and mobile phone, unless you make it easily accessible and use it correctly.”

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