Four sea kayakers in difficulty in strong northerly winds on the coast of Pembrokeshire saw RNLI crews race to their rescue over the Bank Holiday weekend.

St Davids RNLI were tasked to launch to four sea kayakers in difficulty in strong northerly winds west of Abereiddi Bay on Saturday, May 3, shortly before 12.30pm.

St Davids all-weather lifeboat was requested to launch by HM Coastguard following reports from a member of the public, and a call for help from one of the kayakers in trouble.

The charity’s lifeboat Norah Wortley made best speed and once on scene discovered that two people were in the water, one in a partially sunken kayak and one within a kayak holding onto the sinking kayak.

With the strong wind forcing the kayakers towards shore, the coxswain manoeuvred the lifeboat to keep away from the rocks whilst the volunteer crew assisted all four casualties onto the lifeboat.

With the strong wind forcing the kayakers towards shore, the coxswain manoeuvred the lifeboat to keep away from the rocks whilst the volunteer crew assisted all four casualties onto the lifeboat.
With the strong wind forcing the kayakers towards shore, the coxswain manoeuvred the lifeboat to keep away from the rocks whilst the volunteer crew assisted all four casualties onto the lifeboat. (St Davids RNLI)

The kayakers were immediately assessed, with the possibility of secondary drowning a risk as two had ingested water whilst struggling in the swell.

Once back at station, the assessment continued before volunteers were confident that the casualties were safe to leave.

Judd Kohler, RNLI St Davids Deputy Coxswain, said: “The four kayakers got caught out by the conditions but were well prepared with the correct safety equipment, and did the right thing in calling for help.

“Thankfully one of our volunteer crew, Dr Roger Schofield, is a medical doctor and he carried out a thorough assessment of the casualties.”