4th March 2007
Mr Peter Bragg and RNLI helmsman
Kevin Gee have been given letters of thanks from the RNLI in recognition of
their actions during a difficult rescue.
In
February 2006 Mr Bragg put himself at considerable risk to assist a kayaker
in difficulties on Porth beach in heavy surf. Without Mr Bragg’s selfless
actions the kayaker would probably not have survived. RNLI helmsman, Kevin
Gee, was also thanked for his skill in handling the D class lifeboat in very
difficult conditions.
The Newquay
RNLI Lifeboats launched at 09:48 hrs on Saturday 18th February
2006 following a request from the coastguards to assist two kayakers in
difficulties off Porth Beach.
A kayaker had
capsized having been caught in a rip current off Porth Beach. He was unable
to right his kayak and in the process had drifted into the surf and broken
his paddle. He was trapped in the surf, cold and tired, shouting for help.
His companion had raced ashore to raise the alarm
In the
meantime his cries were heard by a member of the public, outside his house,
washing his car. Peter Bragg, himself an experienced kayaker, quickly donned
his wetsuit and entered the water with his kayak. He managed to get himself
and the casualty to the back of the surf line, but in the process capsized
himself.
Both were now
in difficulties, clinging to one kayak, the other had been washed ashore.
The
lifeboats arrived on scene, Kevin Gee helmed the D Class through the surf to
pick up the casualties and transfer them to Atlantic where Eddie Burt and
his crew were waiting to transfer them back to the boathouse. Kevin and his
crew then returned through the surf to collect the kayak and tow it back to
the harbour.
Gareth Horner,
Newquay RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager says:
"I am pleased
that the RNLI has recognised the actions of the men involved with this
rescue.
“Mr Bragg put
himself at considerable risk to help the kayaker who had capsized in heavy
surf and without his actions this incident would have had a very unpleasant
outcome. Volunteer Helmsman Kevin Gee performed a text-book rescue seconds
before Mr Bragg and the original casualty would have been swept onto the
rocks."
Mr Bragg
subsequently entered in to the spirit of the RNLI and assisted Newquay RNLI
lifeboat station with their inaugural April fools press release in 2006.
This had a few people concerned about the effects of the weather on the
lifeboat but they quickly realised they had been fooled.
Two service
certificates were also presented to crew members who left Newquay RNLI
lifeboat last year. One to helmsman Martin Gilbert who had served on the
lifeboat for 22 years and another to crew member Sandra Beckerleg who had
completed 12 years 4 months of service.
