Flares reminder for boaters in Jersey
20/05/2020
Boaters in Jersey are being reminded to carry flares to help raise the alarm in case of emergency.
The warning to boaters in Jersey came from Jersey RNLI after several rescues over the busy bank holiday weekend.
On Friday 8 May, two kayakers, battling against strong currents, had to be rescued on the North Coast, says the RNLI Jersey Facebook page.
The pair launched in a double kayak to enjoy some bank holiday fishing but were caught out by challenging Spring tide currents.
A lifeboat took just 15 minutes to reach them once the emergency had been raised. They were cold, but otherwise unharmed.
Nigel Sweeny, Lifeboat Operations Manager for RNLI Jersey, says, “This was a relatively straightforward rescue for our crew but it could have had a different outcome had conditions changed or the mobile phone the casualties were carrying not worked.
“We would remind all those going to sea around our coast to be aware of tidal conditions and the weather forecast, to wear a lifejacket and suitable clothing and have a suitable means for raising the alarm such as a flare or VHF radio. Mobile phones are useful as a backup, but they are prone to water damage and there are parts of our coastline where there is no mobile reception.”
