An unattended kayak on the water’s edge in Whitehaven prompted a concerned passer-by to call 999.
Whitehaven Coastguard Rescue Team was called out at round lunchtime today, Tuesday February 18, to North Shore at Whitehaven Marina.
The team said: “With some of our team members working in the immediate area, they were on scene a few moments after the 999 call was made. They were able to see a well equipped kayaker paddling away from the slipway.
“A swift shoreline search of North Shore was undertaken to confirm no other kayaks were on the water’s edge.
“Members of public in the area were able to confirm a kayaker had carried their kayak to the water’s edge, before returning to their vehicle to collect additional equipment and then departing on their voyage.
Nathan Major, station officer for Whitehaven Coastguard said: “Our first informant noticed the kayak unattended for the brief moments it took the owner to collect additional items from their vehicle, that couldn’t be carried in one trip to the water’s edge.
“They did exactly the right thing by calling 999 for the Coastguard and raising their concerns, as a different set of circumstances could well have made for a different incident and outcome.
“Immediately reporting emergencies and concerns along our coastline to the Coastguard, ensures a swift assessment by our Co-ordination Centre of any intervention that may be needed, then Coastguard rescue teams plus additional assets where needed can be tasked to the scene to provide search, technical rescue or medical care.”
