The RNLI has issued a warning to kayakers after seven people had to be rescued after getting into difficulties when they were blown out to sea by strong off-shore winds.
The first group of four kayakers on two double kayaks were spotted off Chapel Point by a walker from the cliff path who raised the alarm.
Fowey’s volunteer lifeboat crew launched to their all-weather lifeboat at 12pm to rescue kayakers on Saturday, July 1.
The kayakers also made a separate 999 distress call to the coastguard who requested Fowey to launch.
The all-weather lifeboat sped to the location where they found two people had fallen into the sea and had been collected by a jet-ski rider.
A fishing vessel held the kayak and monitored the other kayak with two people still on board until the lifeboat arrived.
Once on scene the lifeboat crew rescued the two casualties and both kayaks from the water and recovered them to Portmellon Beach, using the small XP boat from the main lifeboat.
The solid kayak was full of water and it took four of the lifeboat crew to recover it. The casualties were transferred to the care of the Mevagissey Coastguard team.
At 6.30pm the same day, launch authority Kathy Ogg authorised her second launch of the day for the all-weather lifeboat.
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In the second incident that day involving kayakers, the NCI Charlestown had reported seeing three people in trouble in an inflatable kayak five miles off Charlestown. They were being blown off-shore.
The lifeboat crew requested assistance from St Austell Coastguard to potentially receive casualties.
In a strong off-shore wind, the lifeboat crew assisted three men from the inflatable kayak. They then recovered the kayak to the care of coastguard, using the XP boat.
Posting a warning about kayakers on their Facebook page, Fowey RNLI said: "When using a kayak it is important to wear a personal flotation device at all times.
"Always check the weather, wind conditions and tide times before going out and carry a means of calling for help that is easily accessible in an emergency. Tell someone where you are going and always try to paddle with someone else."
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