Canoeist found after sea search off Hastings

London, 4 May/GNN/ -- MARITIME AND COASTGUARD AGENCY News Release (Duty 1) issued by The Government News Network on 4 May 2008 A missing canoeist has been rescued after an extensive air and sea sear

Dover Coastguard received a 999 call at 12.45pm from a man reporting his son
had just called him on a mobile phone to say he was very cold, lost and tired
in a kayak somewhere off the coast. Hastings RNLI lifeboats were launched
and with no sign of the kayak in the initial search area the Coastguard
fixed wing aircraft and Hasting Coastguard Rescue Team joined the search.

The Coastguard aircraft located the man at 1.27pm in Fairlight Cove and
Hastings RNLI inshore lifeboat recovered the man and his kayak. East Sussex
Ambulance Service paramedics met the casualty ashore and described him as
hypothermic and he has returned home after treatment.

The 30 year old man from the Hastings area bought the kayak yesterday but
failed to equip the craft with lifesaving equipment or let someone know when
and where he was going.

Peter Legg of Dover Coastguard said,

"If you are taking to the water please make sure you carry some basic
lifesaving equipment including a life jacket, a radio and mini flares.
Let someone know what area you are sailing in so that you can be found
quickly if anything does go wrong."

For further information contact Duty Press Officer on 07917 555634
Or during office hours MCA Press Office on: (023) 8032 9401
Press releases and further information is available at www.mcga.gov.uk

Source: Maritime and Coastguard Agency

2008-05-04 10:58:06 0351904 PRNEWSWIRE