NSRI Gordon’s Bay duty crew was activated just after 6pm on Wednesday, 22 March, following eyewitness reports of a man and a woman on a double kayak appearing to be in difficulty off-shore between Gordon’s Bay and Harbour Island.
GB Med ambulance services monitored the couple from CCTV cameras, and they capsized while caught in strong winds, according to Alan Meiklejohn, NSRI Gordon’s Bay station commander.
The NSRI rescue craft, Spirit of Surfski, was launched.
On arrival at the scene, the couple – a local husband and wife, both wearing life jackets – were rescued onto the NSRI rescue craft.
Both were suffering from severe hypothermia.
The couple was brought to the rescue station, where they were treated by GB Med paramedics.
Following medical treatment, the couple required no further assistance and was released.
‘It appears that they had launched in light winds but while paddling the winds picked up considerably over a short space of time,’ said Meiklejohn. ‘Their kayak was not recovered and remains adrift at sea.’
Boaters, paddlers and sailors are urged to download and make use of the NSRI RSA SafeTrx app to ensure all sea journeys are safely monitored.
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Picture: National Sea Rescue Institute
