Milford Haven Coastguard requested the launch of Tenby's all-weather lifeboat at 10.25 am on Friday after they had received a call for assistance from two kayakers in the Stackpole Head area. Relief TAMAR 16-01 was launched immediately and proceeded to Stackpole Head some nine miles to the west of Tenby. The volunteer lifeboat crew found the casualties a further one-and-a-half miles to the west at St. Govans Head, and although they were well equipped for their trip, they found the strong tidal conditions in the area too much to cope with. They were taken on board the lifeboat and taken to Stackpole Quay where they were put safely ashore. The lifeboat then returned to station, arriving at 11.40.

CONDITIONS CHANGED

Two kayakers who left Oxwich Bay on the Gower peninsula to paddle to Tenby some 23 miles to the west on Wednesday also ended up being assisted by local emergency rescue teams. The two experienced men had left in perfect conditions with no wind and calm sea. When they were one mile from Tenby, the wind suddenly increased and produced a choppy sea. One occupant was thrown into the sea and because of fatigue he was unable to get back into his kayak. Milford Haven Coastguard were contacted for assistance shortly after 7 pm. Immediately, Tenby inshore lifeboat was launched and the volunteer lifeboat crew recovered the man and his kayak from the sea and took him back to Tenby where he was checked out by ambulance paramedics.