St Austell Coastguard Responds to Damaged Kayak Incident at Booleys Beach

In a recent operation, the St Austell Coastguard was dispatched to Booleys Beach following reports of a damaged kayak that had washed ashore. The incident, which took place on February 20, 2024, at 15:31 hrs, prompted immediate action from the coastguard team to investigate the situation for any potential casualties.

Upon receiving the report, the first responders from the coastguard team arrived at the rendezvous (RV) point and coordinated with the Officer in Charge (OIC), who was en route in a vehicle. Given the urgency of the situation and the possibility of individuals being in distress, it was decided to proceed with the investigation before the entire team and supporting vehicle arrived.

The advance party of the coastguard team reached the scene swiftly, only to be joined by the rest of the team and their vehicle shortly thereafter. Upon inspection, the team discovered a double kayak that had been split into two pieces, presumably due to the recent stormy conditions. A thorough search of the local area was conducted; however, no casualties were found, indicating that there were no individuals at immediate risk.

In an effort to prevent any future emergency calls related to this incident, the coastguard team took proactive measures by relocating the debris above the high water mark. This action was taken to ensure that the broken kayak would not pose a risk or result in further callouts. Following the completion of their operation, the team returned to the RV and was officially stood down.

The St Austell Coastguard emphasised the importance of the initial report, praising the caller for their vigilance and prompt action in contacting the coastguard. This response ensured that the authorities could quickly assess the situation and confirm that no one was in need of assistance.

The debris from the damaged kayak has been left at the scene, as it was deemed unrecoverable at the time. To avoid any unnecessary future callouts, the location of the debris has been documented at grid reference SX 089 525. The St Austell Coastguard reminds the public that in case of any emergency along the coast, they should not hesitate to call 999 and ask for the coastguard, highlighting the critical role of community awareness and cooperation in maritime safety.