Kayaker rescued by RNLI crew after capsizing in sea
A KAYAKER was rescued from the sea off Ogmore by Sea after getting into difficulty.
Porthcawl’s RNLI lifeboat crew were called out on Sunday afternoon after he capsized and couldn’t climb back on board his kayak.
The lifeboat was on the scene within 15 minutes and saved the man who was being swept towards rocks at Ogmore Deeps.
The crew was directed to the casualty by members of the public pointing from the rocks above.
Conditions were rough and the man was clinging to his kayak, but he was too close to rocks for the lifeboat to get alongside.
So a crew member swam to the casualty with a line and both were pulled back aboard the lifeboat along with his kayak.
The kayaker was taken back to Porthcawl and checked over as he had been in the water for over 20 minutes, but no further medical assistance was required.
It was a busy day for the crew at Porthcawl as they were called out for a second time just after 5pm on the same day.
Two people had been cut off by the tide, near Witches Point at Southerndown.
The pair were rescued and taken to Porthcawl.
Lifeboat operations manager at Porthcawl, Philip Missen, said: “At this time of year, we get people cut off by the tide along our coast, especially east of Porthcawl.
“I would like to re-emphasise the importance of checking tide times before venturing along some of our beautiful coast.
“The kayaker fortunately had clung onto his craft which makes it easier for our crews to locate a casualty.
“With the RNLI’s current safety campaign ‘Respect the Water’, I would like to say how important it is for all watercraft users to have some form of buoyancy aid and a means for calling for help should the need arise.”