An off-duty coastguard out walking his dog launched a rescue mission after hearing a kayaker call for help. The man was rescued after finding himself in difficulty off a small island near Anglesey.
Incident details
The incident took place on Friday morning close to Ynys Moelfre, known to some locals as 'Rat Island'. The kayaker had capsized in the water and was calling out for help. Fortunately, his calls were heard by an off-duty coastguard officer who happened to be walking their dog nearby.
The officer spotted the overturned kayak and raised the alarm. Moelfre RNLI swiftly responded - having only just completed another rescue operation, reports North Wales Live.
Rescue operation
The lifeboat crew tracked down the stricken kayaker and brought him to safety. A spokesperson for Moelfre RNLI said: "The crew had just washed the ALB and readied her for service when a second call came in. An off-duty coastguard member, out walking their dog, heard cries for help and spotted someone in the water from a capsized kayak on the northeast side of Moelfre Island. This highlights the importance of being alert and ready to respond in emergencies."
The Inshore Lifeboat (ILB) was quickly launched, and it found that the person had managed to climb back onto his kayak and was trying to reach shore. Having been in the water for around 15 minutes, he was exhausted, so the ILB brought him onboard and took him back to Traeth Bychan beach. He was medically fine but shaken by the frightening experience. Thankfully, he was wearing proper safety gear, which likely saved his life.
Safety advice
ILB Helm Aled Owen said: "The man was very lucky and came out of his ordeal relatively unscathed. Wearing a brightly coloured buoyancy aid made him visible and, more importantly, saved his life. Always wear a lifejacket or buoyancy aid, carry a means of calling for help, and let someone know where you're going and when you plan to return."
