Canoeist in the Water Makes Mayday Call

Wednesday, October 07, 2009
Posted 15:18 GMT

At eighteen minutes past twelve this afternoon, Solent Coastguard received a mayday call on VHF Channel 16, the International Distress and calling frequency from a canoeist reporting that he had been separated from his canoe and that he was in the water off St Catherines point

Solent Coastguard issued a mayday relay broadcast and called out several search and rescue units.

The Coastguard rescue helicopter Rescue 104 was requested to scramble and Bembridge and Needles Coastguard rescue teams were called out. The Isle of Wight Coastguard Sector Manager, and Bembridge RNLI lifeboat was also requested to launch.

Units responding to the mayday relay broadcast were Hampshire Police Launch Geoffery Rackham, Ministry of Defence Police Launch Loyalty, Brittany ferry Ponte de Aven and a Lynx helicopter from HMS Ark Royal which is on sea trials in the area.

Tony Wheeler, Watch Manager, Solent Coastguard said:

We are currently undertaking a search and rescue mission for a person in the water who has been separated from his craft.

The man made a mayday call on a hand held VHF radio and we are continuing to search for the man.

For further details contact:
The Maritime & Coastguard Agency Press Office
023 8032 9401