Kayakers rescued after being swept out to sea in North Berwick by strong winds
Two people had to be rescued by the RNLI after getting into difficulty in an inflatable kayak off the coast of North Berwick.
The pair were caught in fierce offshore winds and began drifting dangerously out to sea, prompting a rescue operation by the North Berwick RNLI. Volunteers launched lifeboat SUNIJO just before 4pm on Tuesday, June 24, after receiving an emergency call.
Strong south-westerly winds created a serious risk, and the kayak users were unable to paddle back to shore. Coastguard rescue teams said the speed at which they were drifting meant they would not have been able to make it back safely without help.
Working alongside the North Berwick Coastguard Rescue Team and tour vessels from the Scottish Seabird Centre, RNLI crews located the duo and brought them safely back to land, reports EdinburghLive.
RNLI helm Fraser Fulton issued a warning about the dangers of offshore winds, which are often underestimated. He said: 'Offshore winds are seen as a hidden danger at the coast. It may seem sheltered right inshore, but further out to sea the conditions are significantly different, with large waves and stronger winds that can be difficult to paddle against.
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'We advise against using any inflatable, not powered by an engine, on the sea during offshore winds. Unfortunately in North Berwick, with the prevailing south-westerly winds, that is the majority of the time.'
He added that offshore winds account for many of the RNLI's call-outs, including a serious incident last year involving paddleboarders.
Fraser urged anyone heading out on the water to always check the forecast, wear a lifejacket or buoyancy aid, and carry a mobile phone in a waterproof pouch or a VHF radio.
'In any coastal emergency, dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard,' he said.
The incident marked the crew's second call-out in as many days. On Monday morning, June 23, the RNLI were also alerted to a vessel experiencing engine trouble and drifting towards rocks but were stood down before they could launch.
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