False Alarm With Good Intent

I am working on an article for the SeaKayakWales website that takes a close look at the Maritime and Coastguard Agency annual report on Canoe and Kayak Incidents

The report raises a number of issues, and the article will look closely at what seakayakers can learn from the incidents, but today, I am going to raise just one point - the level of false alarms with good intent:

MCA 2010 Canoe and Kayak Incident Annual Report

It would be possible to attribute many of the incidents to informant ignorance:

"Report of kayaker struggling to make way. Team attended and confirmed object was actually a buoy"

or a misunderstanding of what seakayaks can be used for:

"Call received reporting that 2 kayakers were seen heading towards The Skerries island. The informant was concerned as this is a dangerous stretch of fast flowing tidal race"

but the shear number or reports makes it worth examining our own responsibilities.

In the past, I have been fairly reluctant to inform the coastguard about any intended trip - it all feels a bit 'big brother' - we might easily change our venue or destination before or during the trip - what is the point when we are only going out to do some rescue practice - and we have to remember to let them know when we are off the water, but have a look at the following:

"Call from a member of the public with concern for a group of 5 kayakers off Rhoscolyn, 2 of which appeared to be being towed. Rhoscolyn CRT was tasked to investigate. Once the kayak party had come ashore it was confirmed that all persons were safe and were conducting a rescue drill"

"Report received that 2 people with a canoe appeared stranded on Perch Rock in the Menai strait. The current in this area is very fast flowing. Bangor CRT was tasked to investigate. It transpired that the couple were experienced and competent and were happy riding the tidal race, but had not informed the Coastguard of their intentions"

"Following a 999 call from a person, Tenby Inshore Lifeboat and Tenby Coastguards were tasked to search for 2 kayakers thought to be in difficulties off Pendine Beach. The Kayakers were both instructors from the nearby Pendine School Camp and were not in any difficulty"

"999 Call received from pier master reporting a kayak party of 5 persons were in difficulties in the Menai Strait due to adverse weather conditions. 1 of the party had capsized and was being towed ashore. Bangor CRT was tasked to investigate. The party were located and confirmed that they were advanced paddlers and were comfortable in the weather conditions, but had neglected to inform the Coastguard of their intentions"

I am pretty amazed that the pier master did not know better, but that only emphasizes the point.

While we should not need to let the coastguard know what we are doing, it seems that the only practical way of reducing the level of false alarms, is to do so, and where possible provide a means of contact such as VHF or mobile phone.

But, do you know how?