Latest news with #BrendonPrince
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Yahoo
Kayak hire company suspended over lack of lifeboat
A self-service kayak hire company has paused operations in a coastal town at the request of a council. Kayakomat recently opened a unit in Sheringham, Norfolk. But the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) suspended its service in the area in January after the cliff behind its station became unstable. Kayakomat said it was working with North Norfolk District Council "to ensure that all of their additional needs are met" with safety "as the top priority". The council said it was reassessing the operator's health and safety documentation "in light of recent changes to the RNLI provision in the area". The Swedish company, which has branches across Europe, received consent from the council to set up in Sheringham last year. Customers can rent the kayaks online 24-7 and are sent a booking code. This includes a life jacket, which is mandatory to wear, and customers are asked to paddle with others and stay close to the shore. Brendon Prince from Above Water, a charity that promotes the safe use of inland and coast waterways, said kayaking was a difficult skill and a combination of strong currents and winds and rapidly changing weather conditions could push inexperienced people out to sea far more rapidly then expected. "There is very little responsibility either from the kayak provider or [the customer] to understand that conditions can change when you're out on the water and they can be incredibly dangerous," he said. Kayakomat key account manager Malin Arnesson said "all customers must read and accept our safety guidelines before they can make their reservation". An RNLI spokesperson said: "While all search and rescue activity at Sheringham RNLI was temporarily suspended in January... other RNLI support locally remains in place and has even been enhanced in light of that." Wells RNLI and regional staff are supporting the Sheringham lifeboat team. The spokesperson urged all kayakers to wear a lifejacket, check weather conditions before departure and carry a device to call for help if needed. The council added: "In light of recent changes to the RNLI provision in the area, we are in the process of reassessing the operator's health and safety documentation." Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Lifeboat move postponed due to slipway issues Lifeboat rescues suspended over landslide risk
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Yahoo
Kayak hire company suspended over lack of lifeboat
A self-service kayak hire company has paused operations in a coastal town at the request of a council. Kayakomat recently opened a unit in Sheringham, Norfolk. But the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) suspended its service in the area in January after the cliff behind its station became unstable. Kayakomat said it was working with North Norfolk District Council "to ensure that all of their additional needs are met" with safety "as the top priority". The council said it was reassessing the operator's health and safety documentation "in light of recent changes to the RNLI provision in the area". The Swedish company, which has branches across Europe, received consent from the council to set up in Sheringham last year. Customers can rent the kayaks online 24-7 and are sent a booking code. This includes a life jacket, which is mandatory to wear, and customers are asked to paddle with others and stay close to the shore. Brendon Prince from Above Water, a charity that promotes the safe use of inland and coast waterways, said kayaking was a difficult skill and a combination of strong currents and winds and rapidly changing weather conditions could push inexperienced people out to sea far more rapidly then expected. "There is very little responsibility either from the kayak provider or [the customer] to understand that conditions can change when you're out on the water and they can be incredibly dangerous," he said. Kayakomat key account manager Malin Arnesson said "all customers must read and accept our safety guidelines before they can make their reservation". An RNLI spokesperson said: "While all search and rescue activity at Sheringham RNLI was temporarily suspended in January... other RNLI support locally remains in place and has even been enhanced in light of that." Wells RNLI and regional staff are supporting the Sheringham lifeboat team. The spokesperson urged all kayakers to wear a lifejacket, check weather conditions before departure and carry a device to call for help if needed. The council added: "In light of recent changes to the RNLI provision in the area, we are in the process of reassessing the operator's health and safety documentation." Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Lifeboat move postponed due to slipway issues Lifeboat rescues suspended over landslide risk
BBC News
10-04-2025
- BBC News
Sheringham's 24-hour kayak hire suspended over lack of lifeboat
A self-service 24-hour kayak hire company has paused operations in a coastal town currently without its lifeboat service at the request of a recently opened a unit in Sheringham, Norfolk. The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) suspended rescues in the area in January after the cliff behind its station became unstable. North Norfolk District Council (NNDC) said it was reassessing the operator's health and safety documentation "in the light of recent changes to the RNLI provision in the area". Kayakomat said it was working with the council "to ensure that all of their additional needs are met" with safety "as the top priority". "We have been made aware of some local safety concerns regarding the location of Kayakomat at Sheringham," the council spokesperson said."In light of recent changes to the RNLI provision in the area, we are in the process of reassessing the operator's health and safety documentation."The Swedish company, which has branches across Europe, received consent from NNDC to set up business in Sheringham last year. Customers rent the kayaks online and are sent a booking code, said Kayakomat key account manager Malin Arnesson She said: "You go to our station, you enter our code and you take out your equipment."This includes a life jacket, which is mandatory to wear, and customers must also paddle with others and stay close to the shore, she added. Brendon Prince from Above Water, a charity that promotes the safe use of inland and coast waterways, said kayaking was a difficult skill and a combination of strong currents and winds and rapidly changing weather conditions could push inexperienced people out to sea far more rapidly then they expected."There is very little responsibility either from the kayak provider or [the customer] to understand that conditions can change when you're out on the water and they can be incredibly dangerous if [the kayaker] gets into danger," he said. Ms Arnesson said "all customers must read and accept our safety guidelines before they can make their reservation".An RNLI spokesperson said: "While all search and rescue activity at Sheringham RNLI was temporarily suspended in January... other RNLI support locally remains in place and has even been enhanced in light of that."Wells RNLI and regional staff are supporting the Sheringham lifeboat team. The spokesperson urged all kayakers to wear a lifejacket, check weather conditions before departure and carry a device to call for help if needed. Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
