Person rescued from water by passing yacht after kayak 'sank beneath them' in North Berwick

A kayaker had to be rescued in North Berwick after their watercraft sank beneath them.

North Berwick lifeboat crews responded to a call for help from the Coastguard around 6.15pm on Friday after the kayaker called 999.

The person, who was wearing a buoyancy aid and had a waterproof means of calling for help, was eventually saved by a passing yacht before being taken on board the lifeboat and assessed.

The call-out was one of three North Berwick RNLI received in less than a week as Scots make the most of the warm weather.

The team were called out after a personal watercraft broke just outside of the fairway in North Berwick around 7.16pm on May 17.

The casualty had all the correct equipment, including a buoyancy aid, handheld VHF radio, paddle and anchor, which they had deployed as the wind was blowing them offshore.

The vessel had to be towed back to the shore, where debris in the fuel was found to have caused engine failure.

Another call for help was received around 6.47pm on May 23 after multiple members of the public witnessed a stand-up paddleboarder being blown out to sea in the offshore wind.

A thorough search of a large area offshore from North Berwick was conducted alongside Anstruther RNLI’s all-weather Shannon class lifeboat.

After four hours on the water, the search was suspended as night had fallen and nothing had been found.

The charity is urging anyone heading out to sea to ensure they have the correct equipment to keep them safe.

North Berwick’s volunteer Lifeboat operations manager, Ricky Martin, said: “When the weather forecast is for good weather, we always, understandably, see an increase in leisure traffic on the water.

“Anyone who is heading out to sea, for a swim, sail, or to fish from a kayak must ensure they have a lifejacket or buoyancy aid and that they carry a waterproofed means of calling for help.

“Check the weather, wind direction and tide times to make sure the conditions are suitable for your plan. If in doubt, don’t go out. Stand up paddleboarders especially should avoid offshore winds, which they are particularly vulnerable to.’

“If you’re heading out on a power drive craft, check your engine is serviceable, your fuel is fresh, and charge your batteries.’

“In any coastal emergency dial 999 for the Coastguard or call them on VHF channel 16.”