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Kayak man saved by shouts to the shore
A KAYAKER was swept away by tidal currents
off Portland last night, sparking a major rescue operation.
Coastguards were alerted at around 9.30pm after the kayaker's frantic shouts for help were heard by people walking along the shoreline.
The kayaker, a Weymouth man in his 50s, was part of a group of four that had set off round the island from Castletown.
Coastguards said as the party approached Portland Bill he strayed from the group and unwittingly paddled into the Portland Race, where the island's two tidal currents meet.
Two fishing vessels, Providing Star and Sally Jane, responded to an emergency broadcast by the coastguards and stood by the kayak as both Weymouth RNLI Lifeboats were launched.
Portland Bill Coastguard Rescue Team was sent to the area and the warship HMS Portland also responded to emergency calls, proceeding to the area and launching a fast rescue craft.
The rescue craft arrived on the scene at the same times as the lifeboats and the kayaker was plucked from the water.
He was taken back to Weymouth by lifeboat and reunited with his colleagues.
Watch manager at Portland Coastguard Ros Evans said: "The remaining three kayakers all in their 40s and 50s came back into Weymouth and were met by the coastguard team where they described their journey from Castletown.
"The group were well set up with radios, lights and flares, but one of their number just caught the edge of the race and was pulled in.
"Fortunately the tidal race in that area was reasonably slight, around six knots, although still too powerful for a single kayaker.
"It is a salutary lesson to all sea users how clearly charts, weather forecasts and tides should be studied before anyone chooses to set out.
"We would also like to thank the general public whose rapidity in alerting the coastguard was outstanding."
9:28am Wednesday 23rd July 2008
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CommentPosted by: DingDonG, Wilds of Wiltshire on 7:55pm Wed 23 Jul 08
[quote]The kayaker, a Weymouth man in his 50s,[/quote] Glad he is safe, but.. being in the same age group and seeing The Race from the safety of The Bill for as many years, even in mid-summer, I wouldn't go anywhere near it in anything less than a battleship !
The kayaker, a Weymouth man in his 50s,
Glad he is safe, but.. being in the same age group and seeing The Race from the safety of The Bill for as many years, even in mid-summer, I wouldn't go anywhere near it in anything less than a battleship !
Posted by: Dorsetdumpling, Weymouth on 12:03pm Thu 24 Jul 08
[quote]We would also like to thank the general public whose rapidity in alerting the coastguard was outstanding[/quote]
Er? hang on - what were the other three paddlers, equipped as they were with lights radio and flares, doing?
Heads down & heading for Weymouth?
We would also like to thank the general public whose rapidity in alerting the coastguard was outstanding
Er? hang on - what were the other three paddlers, equipped as they were with lights radio and flares, doing?
Heads down & heading for Weymouth?
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