Flares are a vital part of kayakers’ kit

14/08/2019

Flares are a vital part of a marine safety kit for kayakers, says the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.

Six kayakers from Stockton and Thornaby Canoe Club joined Hartlepool RNLI on a training exercise.
The hour-long exercise involved how to rescue a kayaker from the sea and take them onto the all-weather lifeboat. The kayakers also learned about the capabilities of all-weather and inshore lifeboats.
Hartlepool RNLI coxswain Robbie Maiden praised the kayakers for their range of vital safety equipment, including flares.
“It was a very worthwhile exercise with the kayakers as we worked together over a few scenarios that may occur at sea. I was especially impressed by the groups professional approach to safety issues when at sea such as carrying vhf radios and flares.
“We learnt that the kayakers can travel up to 20 miles a day along the shore so having the correct communication equipment is vital should any of them need our help.”
Chris Arnison, of the Stockton and Thornaby Canoe Club, says, “It’s been really interesting to be involved with and learn about the resources available when working with the RNLI and the purpose of the charity.
“Overall it was an excellent learning exercise for both kayakers and lifeboat crew and It was nice to meet such a friendly and professional RNLI team, sound in the knowledge that such people are there for us should we ever need them and the crew were very complimentary of how well kitted out today’s kayakers were with drysuits, self rescue kit, tow lines, VHF/DSC radios, PLBs, flares, first aid kits etc.”

The image is credit of Stockton and Thornaby Canoe Club.