Just before 1pm today (22nd January 2020) RNLI Morecambe responded to a distress call for a kayaker lost in the fog.
Deputy Launch Authority Dave Smith authorised the launch of Morecambe’s Inshore Lifeboat. At the helm was Trevor McMeeking supported by his crew Adam Mills and Conor McIntyre.
The crew made their way through the fog which can only be described as ‘pea soup’ with visibility less than 5 metres. A search pattern was created using the last known position off the kayaker who believed they were near the stone Jetty. After a lengthy search the Kayaker was recovered near Heysham Harbour.
Whilst making their way back to be recovered by shore teams the crew were against the tide which was going out fast. Eventually due to the low water the crew members had to disembark the boat and drag the boat along the shallow water. Whilst in the midst of this they saw a female who had walked her dog out onto the sands who had become lost and disorientated and also had no mobile phone on her to alert anyone. The female was also recovered and the crew attempted to make towards the Oakley Road slipway however this was proving extremely difficult.
A Coastguard Team made out towards the crew whom they passed over the two casualties and the dog who brought them safely to shore. The crew remained with their boat in the difficult foggy conditions for a few hours until the tide started to come back in enabling themselves to make back under power to be recovered.
Lifeboat Press Officer Chris Smith said “We would like to remind people that it is extremely dangerous going out onto the sands or water in foggy conditions like we had today without the correct equipment and would advise against it. Fortunately on this occasion both casualties came back unharmed. Foggy conditions can disorientate someone in minutes putting lives at risk.”
