Today did not go well. Although paddling on our local waters of Swanage Bay, Heather and I found ourselves in big trouble. We encountered a two metre swell, Force 6 winds and driving rain, with the conditions deteriorating. We became separated and before we could regroup, a failed roll saw me swimming alongside my kayak.
The water was cold and I was glad I had worn my drysuit as the minutes passed and I drifted on the tide. Thankfully help eventually came in the form of the Swanage Lifeboat, looming and lurching huge in the swell above me. A lifeboatman jumped in and assisted me, whilst the lifeboat manoeuvred into position. Shivering, I was swum into a harness and then - still lying down - carefully raised aboard to the safety of the deck.
The crew then tried to extract my kayak, but with the weather worsening, it was decided that it was too heavy and unwieldy to waste time and take unnecessary risks over. It was abandoned to be retrieved by the inshore lifeboat, a smaller RIB.
A second inshore lifeboat came alongside; it had located and rescued Heather from the water. She joined us on deck. It was a great relief to both be safe and heading for home.
This exercise was an opportunity for Swanage Lifeboat to practice their search and rescue routines, and also to learn more about kayakers and kayaks. Thanks to John Gilmour for organising the exercise and inviting us along.
If you are as impressed as we were by the skill, dedication and bravery of the RNLI’s volunteers, then please consider contributing.
I nearly lost my breakfast.
Nice report.
Out of interest, how long were you in the water for and what clothing was worn under the drysuit? How long was it before you started to feel cold?
Actually, to be honest I wasn’t cold in the slightest, wearing a Stikine drysuit. I was in the water about 10 minutes but could have been extracted at any time. I did pop my earwig on after a few minutes.
I’ve never unintentionally capsized or swum from a sea kayak. Bobbing around all alone in big seas (2 metre waves are big enough from head height!) was an interesting and sobering insight into what my long-overdue swim will probably look like when it does come.
I love your report Mark, makes superb reading. I have had some very positive feedback from the crew about yesterday’s exercise, it certainly went down well. I think the crew were particularly impressed by meeting seagoers who are so skilled, resourceful and self-reliant………sadly they are much more used to dealing with numptys!
jg
OK Mark, you had me going!
What you did chimes with the responses I received from the Clyde Coastguard, when I put to them your questions about a lack of knowledge of our sport among some watch officers. The reply went along the lines - “we’re always keen to learn more”.
Reading the Swange Lifeboat blog, I see they felt they learnt from the experience too.
Bringing different groups of sea-goers together so each can learn from the other can only have positive benefits, I reckon. So next time I’m speaking to someone from the RNLI I’ll volunteer to be dropped in the deep end.
John - ’sadly they are much more used to dealing with numptys!’
Hmm, well none of us think that we are ourselves numpties, of course … right up to the point where we wind up needing rescuing. I’m pretty sure that everyone - myself included - has the potential for this in them.
Simon W - ‘What you did chimes with the responses I received from the Clyde Coastguard, when I put to them your questions about a lack of knowledge of our sport among some watch officers. The reply went along the lines - “we’re always keen to learn more”.’
Heather was explaining how the boat worked to the inshore lifeboat crew. One of them said, ‘You actually carry your gear in these things?’
Mark
Hi Mark, great report. In Weymouth, a similar exercise was being undertaken on sunday between the lifeboats, the canoe lifeguards and ‘Whiskey Bravo’ - the Portland Coastguard rescue helicopter. Again, a great opportunity for the RNLI and Coastguard to see the versatility of sea kayaks. As we all know, the vast majority of sea fairing folk regard us all as a little crazy for paddling these small craft!
Is the first piccie the inshore playing in Peverill Race?
Yes, a few of the pics were taken in the race.