Kayaker's dramatic rescue takes place off Chesil beach

Jim Barr from Bridport was taking part in a fishing competition alongside his father Rod when he heard an urgent mayday call come over the radio alerting seafarers to a stranded kayaker off Chesil Beach.

A major search operation had been launched to find the kayaker, with the coastguard helicopter scrambled and Lyme Regis and West Bay lifeboats sent out.

The father and son, who were nearest to the kayaker, raced over to help him.

He was floating in the sea off the coast of Abbotsbury battling a strong tide while his craft was rapidly filling with sea water and sinking fast. 

Jim Barr pulled the man, who he described as 'remarkably calm', from the water onto his fishing boat.

The 45-year-old, owner of Bridport firm Coastal Nets, said: “At about 11am we were anchored up fishing just off of West Bexington when we heard a mayday call go out from a kayaker who was too far out to swim to shore and there was an offshore wind and quite a strong tide as well.

“He couldn’t get back in his kayak after it sprung a leak and was partially filled with water. When we turned up we realised the situation could have been a lot worse if he didn’t have the right equipment. He was probably in the water for 20 to 30 minutes."

Fisherman, James Barr (Image: Jim Barr)

Mr Barr, pictured above, added: “He was lucky that he had a radio on him and a lifejacket; the radio saved his life.

“We were about two miles away from him and when we got nearer, from a distance, it looked like he was still in his kayak.

“I think he was quite relieved when we arrived and remarkably calm as some people would really panic in that situation.

“I have been on boats all my life, and this is the first time that I have ever had to pick anyone up from the water.

“I think it’s a good message to get across to people that if they go out on a kayak, sometimes things can go wrong quite quickly.”

Spot the kayak (Image: Jim Barr)

The Lyme Regis Lifeboat crew picked up the stranded kayaker from Mr Barr’s fishing boat Miss Grace shortly after.

The dramatic rescue took place on Saturday, September 2.

Nick Marks, Volunteer Water Safety Officer for Lyme Regis Lifeboat Station said: “The RNLI recommends anyone going afloat wears a flotation device and carries a means of calling for help such as mobile phone, VHF radio or a personal locator beacon.

“The kayaker in this rescue was properly equipped and was able to call for help when he needed it.  The other positive water safety point was that once the fishing boat crew received the kayaker's radio distress call, they immediately went to help him.

“This reduced the time the kayaker had to spend in the water before the lifeboat arrived on scene 27 minutes after launching.”

A rescue was underway for a kayaker stranded at sea (Image: Jim Barr)

When the crew reached the shore, the kayaker was met by the West Bay Coastguard Rescue Team and South Western Ambulance Service.

The HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopter was also launched from Lee-on-Solent to support the rescue.

Mr Barr explained that the kayaker did lose some of his belongings during the incident including his fishing rod and water bottle.

He encourages anyone planning on going out on a kayak or paddleboard to ‘take a mobile phone in a dry bag or a radio.’

Right: The rescued kayaker in his wet weather gear (Image: Jim Barr)

Further advice from the Coastguard advises kayakers to:

• Check the weather forecast and tide times before leaving home.
• Wear a personal flotation device and make sure you are also wearing suitable clothing.
• Label your equipment with your contact details, so that if it gets lost, they can check that the owner is safe - order your label from our web shop.
• Paddle in a group where possible, and can call 999 in an emergency and ask for the Coastguard
• If you're exploring somewhere new, consider asking experienced kayakers or canoeists about the area.
• Tell someone where you’re going and when you’re likely to be back.