Around 7.30
yesterday evening Holyhead Coastguard were notified of a missing
kayaker who had last been seen at around 2.00 pm (Sunday) afternoon.
An experienced female paddler aged 53 from Shrewsbury, she had
been using a long red Valley Avocet plastic sea kayak and been
last seen heading through rocks at Starvation Island on Anglesey
wearing a dull red buoyancy aid on top of a black and grey
drysuit. She was not carrying flares or a VHF handset. Her car
remained at Borth Wen and the four people in the remaining party
were getting worried for her whereabouts.
The search has carried on throughout the evening and at one
point covered nearly 60 square miles. Holyhead Coastguard have
been making adjustments to the search area as the wind and tidal
conditions altered.
A rescue helicopter R 122 from RAF Valley along with the
North Wales Police helicopter NW 01 have been used in the air,
whilst Trearddur Bay lifeboats, plus Holyhead all weather lifeboat
have been searching seaward. On the land, Coastguard Teams from
Rhoscolyn, Rhosneigr and Holyhead have all been searching the shoreline.
Ray Carson, Duty Watch manager said
"The weather hasn’t been particularly good today
with north westerly winds of 5 and 6. This has made a very lumpy
sea which has been difficult to search. We have been liaising with
North Wales Police who are conducting their own searches and are
making contact with her immediate family. Various rescue units are
now running low on fuel and we are making contingencies to restart
the search at first light tomorrow morning although some units
will continue into the small hours."
Notes to Editors
- The MCA is a partner in the Sea Vision UK campaign to raise
awareness and understanding of the sea and maritime activities.
Sea Vision promotes the importance and economic value of the
sector and works to highlight the exciting range of activities and
career opportunities available to young people within the UK
growing maritime sector. www.seavisionuk.org
- Stay safe - before heading out on the water get trained,
check weather and tides, wear a lifejacket, avoid alcohol and keep
in touch
- Follow us on Twitter. Find us at MCA_media
Contacts:
Maritime and Coastguard Agency Press Office
Phone: 023 8032 9401
NDS.MCGA@coi.gsi.gov.uk
Mark Clark.
Phone: 023 8032 9414
Mobile: 07711 002678
mark.clark@mcga.gov.uk