Four kayakers who got into difficulty in the Milford Haven Waterway were at the centre of a complicated rescue mission on Saturday morning, August 24.

The quartet were between Chapel Bay and Thorn Island when the call for assistance was made.

A number of small pleasure boats, the Milford Haven Port Authority pilot vessel Skomer and Angle all-weather RNLI lifeboat arrived at the scene..

Although one of the kayakers had made it safely round to West Angle beach and two had been picked up by a fishing boat, a fourth had climbed the cliff in a bid to get to safety.

Stuck 

They were now stuck 30 metres up on a small island.

Angle RNLI Lifeboat, which has been launched at 9.33am, took the two people off the fishing boat and then requested air support from the Coastguard to rescue the last casualty.

Belongings recovered

Angle RNLI posted on Facebook: “Whilst awaiting the arrival of the helicopter, the crew deployed the lifeboat’s inflatable Y boat to recover the casualty’s kayak and belongings which were in the water close inshore.

“Once recovered, the Y boat was brought back onboard the lifeboat and the crew stood by, keeping eyes on the casualty on the cliff.

“Shortly after, Coastguard Rescue Helicopter R187 from St Athan arrived and swiftly winched the casualty from the cliff top.

Helicopter lands

“The helicopter proceeded round to West Angle and landed in a nearby field to hand the casualty over to members of St Govans and Tenby Coastguard Rescue Teams.

“The lifeboat then headed round to East Angle Bay and once again utilised the Y boat to transfer the other two casualties and their kayaks ashore into the care of their family and members of the coastguard teams.

“With no further assistance required, the lifeboat returned to the jetty and was ready for further service by 12:30pm.”