Two kayakers were safely rescued from the water off Stanmore Bay on Saturday, with lifejackets and having a phone to call for help making all the difference.
The pair became separated from their group in deteriorating conditions as they paddled from Martins Bay to Manly Beach on Saturday morning. Thankfully they were able to make a brief phone call to the group and give their approximate location.
Police alerted our Coastguard National Operations Centre of the missing kayakers and Coastguard Hibiscus volunteers aboard Hibiscus Rescue 2 made their way to the search area, alongside the Police Eagle helicopter.
The helicopter quickly located the kayakers in the water, and Hibiscus Rescue 2 headed directly to their position and transported them back to Coastguard base at Stanmore Bay.
Coastguard Hibiscus Skipper Dave Maritz says the pair’s preparations saved them.
“Wearing lifejackets made the difference between this being a search and a recovery,” says Maritz. “The fact they had a phone in a dry bag meant we could find them fairly quickly.”
Conditions on the water were challenging, with up to 25–35 knot winds and some 2‑metre swells.
“It would have been very difficult to spot them without the helicopter,” says Maritz. "It was great having the Eagle helicopter. This was a perfect example of inter-agency coordination.”
Coastguard encourages all boaties and kayakers to be prepared when going on the water:
Always wear a lifejacket
Take two forms of waterproof communication
Check the long-range marine forecast
Tell someone when to expect you home, or log a trip report on the Coastguard app.
