Stranded kayaker rescued by Thurso lifeboat
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A LONE kayaker was rescued by Thurso lifeboat at the weekend after becoming stranded on rocks near Melvich.
Coxswain Dougie Munro said the incident highlighted the importance of sea users carrying a personal locator beacon (PLB) – a personal electronic transmitter that notifies search and rescue teams of a person in distress.
The Thurso RNLI lifeboat The Taylors was launched at 12.10pm on Saturday after receiving a report of a kayaker who had got into difficulties on the north coast.
The man had activated a PLB which alerted the coastguard to an emergency and pinpointed the exact location.
The Taylors arrived on scene at 12.40pm and launched the inflatable Y boat with two crew members trained in casualty care. They went onto the rocks, attended to the casualty and conveyed him to the lifeboat.
The man had been hit by a wave and thrown out of the kayak, and after several attempts was unable to get back in so decided to swim to the rocks.
The kayak was retrieved from the water and The Taylors returned to Scrabster at 6.30pm.
At Scrabster the casualty was checked over by the Scottish Ambulance Service and later allowed home.
Coxswain Munro said: "This is a great example where a PLB directed us straight to the casualty, who was exhausted and suffering the effects of being in the cold water. Time was important and any delay in finding the casualty might have led to a different outcome.
"This emergency highlights the importance of PLBs and all sea users, especially when alone, should carry one."
Dan Bailey, an HM Coastguard senior maritime operations officer, said: "The kayaker had done exactly the right thing. He was well prepared and had all the right safety equipment to help us help him.
"This is a great example of how a personal locator beacon, when properly used and registered, can save a life.
"Without means of communication this incident could have easily turned into a tragic one."
The kayaker lost a white paddle and a red float. These items might be washed ashore if found they can be handed in to Thurso RNLI at Scrabster.
