KAYAKERS RESCUED OFF DEVON COAST

Three kayakers were rescued this morning eight miles off the Devon coast.

At 8.25am Swansea Coastguard received a mobile phone call from three kayakers who reported they had got into difficulties after the double kayak had capsized during a 22 mile paddle from Ilfracombe to Lundy Island.  The mobile phone signal from the caller was weak and dropped out at times due to the kayakers being far offshore but Coastguard coordinators were able to get an approximate position of the incident.

Swansea Coastguard asked Appledore and Clovelly RNLI lifeboats to head to the location eight miles off the coast and while lifeboats were heading to the scene Swansea Coastguard was contacted by the container vessel Endeavor, which spotted the kayakers.  The vessel stood by until the Clovelly inshore lifeboat arrived and recovered the three men and then rendezvoused with the Appledore all weather lifeboat.

The men were taken back to shore by Appledore RNLI lifeboat and were assessed by paramedics for hypothermia but fortunately did not need further medical attention.   

Coastguard advice for kayakers in general is to always wear a buoyancy aid, check weather and tides, keep within your limits.  Make sure you have a good range of communications on board if you need to raise the alarm because mobile phone and handheld VHF coverage can be limited when offshore. Carry flares, a PLB and a GPS.

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