A kayaker has paid tribute to rescue services and a fishing boat after spending over an hour-and-a-half in the sea off Orkney

Steve Bunning, who is now recovering after spending the night in hospital, says he owes his life to his rescuers.
 
An experience kayaker, Mr Bunning landed in rough conditions when he was suddenly dragged into the water by a breaking wave.

With his kayak already swept away, he spent nearly two hours alone in the sea before he was picked up by the Shetland-based Coastguard rescue helicopter.
 
He said: "The rescue operation was amazing. I'd been in the water quite a long time. And when I first saw the life boat and the helicopter I was quite surprised. I didn't really expect to be found. So I was filled with joy that they were there."
 
After he was pulled out into the Atlantic to the west of Orkney Mr Bunning used both a VHF radio and his mobile phone as he tried to raise the alarm - eventually managing to make a 999 call.

A local fishing boat, the Amethyst, also picked up a faint mayday call and joined the search effort along with lifeboats from both Stromness and Kirkwall.
 
He said: "The effort was amazing, both from the individuals and the co-ordination. If they hadn’t been there - if they hadn't got to me - I would have died. There is no question about that - so my gratitude is total."

Watch officer Alex Dodge, of the Shetland Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre, said: "It was very fortunate that the skipper of the fishing vessel Amethyst heard a faint Mayday and responded. We were able to direct the skipper of the Amethyst to the Costa Head area.

"The kayaker was located by Kirkwall RNLI lifeboat and the rescue helicopter with the assistance of the skipper of the Amethyst. At 3.50pm the casualty was lifted from the water and taken by the rescue helicopter to Balfour Hospital in Kirkwall."

"It would be fair to say that the casualty may owe his life to the vigilance of the skipper on the Amethyst and to wearing his lifejacket," he added.