RNLI issue warning after busy weekend

Tuesday 31 July 2018

The RNLI has urged beachgoers to stay safe if they head to the beach with inflatables this summer after two people got into difficulty in an inflatable kayak at Pembroke on Sunday.

It came on a weekend which saw a further incident where two kayakers got into trouble attempting to paddle from Lihou island to Guernsey in stormy seas, which caused them only minor injuries despite being thrown out of the boats and onto rocks.

With people flocking to the coast nationally, there has been a spike in the number of people having to be rescued from a wide range of inflatables across the UK – ranging from footballs, unicorns, flamingos to inflatable boats.

Guernsey's RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager, Peter Gill said: "Inflatables aren’t designed for the beach, and it is easy to find yourself quickly swept out to sea.

"If you do choose to use them, we would like to remind people that they’re to be used near the shore and only when the wind is blowing back onto the beach. Never take inflatables out in big waves, and never use them when the winds which will blow you further out to sea.

"On Sunday, our local volunteer crew were called out to reports of two persons with an inflatable kayak at Pembroke struggling to get back to shore. Thankfully, the wind died down and the kayakers were able to return safely to dry land.  However, it could have been a very different outcome."

Whenever you take to the sea the RNLI recommend that you and your children wear a suitable lifejacket or buoyancy aid.  This will provide the necessary flotation should the inflatable suffer a puncture or similar.

In a further incident the Guernsey Police and St Peter Port Lifeboat were notified of two men in difficulty having attempted to kayak from Lihou island to Guernsey in rough seas on a receding tide on Saturday. The two men were thrown out of their kayaks about two thirds of the way across and whilst the men scrambled to safety without assistance they have asked that their narrow escape be a lesson for other sea goers who may attempt taking to the waters. 

Oliver Brock who was one of the kayakers said: "I want people to think about the need to be properly prepared for the worst eventualities and not to take unnecessary risks when taking to the water."

He and his son had decided to risk making the return trip to Guernsey on the kayaks rather than wait for the tide as they were due to to fly to Exeter and didn't want to miss their flight. The decision, Mr Brock admits was stupid and he has since shared his story on Facebook in the hope that others will think twice about risking journeys on the water.

Mr Brock said: "I am sharing this in case anyone thinks that the sea is just a fun and benign playground; in case anyone thinks it won’t happen to them; or in case anyone thinks proper safety equipment, preparation and back-up plans are over the top for a short paddle in Guernsey’s waters."

"Fortunately, and more by luck than anything else, we didn’t place anyone else’s life in danger to rescue us. Please always consider that if you get into trouble on the water there are those who are prepared to do just that, and that their bravery and commitment shouldn’t ever be taken for granted. I very much regret having made my decision without having considered the possible consequences for others should things have gone awry; please don’t make the same mistake."

During the crossing both sets of paddles were snapped by the force of the waves, the kayak and their helmets all have scrapes and scratches, and both men were cut and bruised.

Pictured: Cuts and bruises sustained in the incident

Mr Brock said: "There is no question in my mind that we are both extremely lucky to have come out of this experience alive, let alone with only minor injuries. I also have no doubt that without proper preparation and proper equipment, which seems over the top to some, we would not have made it."

Pictured main image: Spirit of Guernsey Lifeboat