Teenager endures two-hour water drama after capsized kayak triggers full-scale Highland rescue mission involving Kyle RNLI
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A TEENAGER who spent more than two hours in the water after his kayak capsized in worsening conditions did just the right thing amidst a race-against-time search as darkness fell.
The drama – which triggered a full-scale emergency alert including the involvement of Kyle RNLI, local fishermen and a coastguard helicopter – unfolded in Broadford Bay on the Isle of Skye.
Kyle and Portree lifeboats, as well as the UK Coastguard helicopter from Stornoway, launched a search after he capsized and was unable to get back into his kayak off Broadford.
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Kyle lifeboat Spirit of Fred. Olsen launched at 5:35pm on Wednesday evening after reports came in to the UK Coastguard that the boy was in the bone-chilling water and clinging to the upturned kayak.
The lifeboat made best speed in rough conditions, arriving on scene five minutes later. The crew immediately began searching for the missing teenager with worsening conditions and fading light making things difficult.
The kayaker had managed to contact a family member after he capsized but they were then unable to get back in contact with him. Other members of the public had initially seen the boy but had lost sight of him as it began to get dark.
Portree lifeboat arrived on scene about 40 minutes later and began assisting Kyle counterparts in the search. Local coastguard teams were searching the coastline and local fishing boats launched to help. And then at 6:40pm, the UK Coastguard helicopter arrived and began searching the area using its advanced equipment.
A short while later, the helicopter located the boy still clinging to his upturned kayak and the Kyle lifeboat was able to retrieved him out of the water.
After assessing the youngster, the crew began warming him up as he had by then been in the water for more than two hours. They made their way to the pier in Broadford where they handed him over to the Scottish Ambulance Service.
Kyle lifeboat left the scene at 7:40pm and returned to the station where the boat was refuelled and made ready for service by 8pm.
Norman Finlayson, helm for Kyle’s RNLI Lifeboat, said: "The casualty was an experienced kayaker who was well equipped to be out on the water.
"Conditions were good when he went out, however unfortunately they began to deteriorate quite quickly. He did exactly the correct thing in taking and using his mobile phone to raise the alarm, and then staying with his kayak until he was located.
"He was wearing all the correct clothing to be out on the water, which made all the difference when spending that amount of time in the water".
It was the third shout of the year for the volunteers in Kyle.
