Two canoeists were brought to safety by Llandudno RNLI inshore lifeboat after getting into difficulties off Great Orme’s Head on Saturday afternoon (7 August).
The man and woman, in their mid-twenties and visitors from Bangor, had set off earlier from Llandudno’s west shore in separate canoes. When off the northernmost tip of the Orme, they got into difficulties in the flood tide conditions round the headland, and attempted to scramble ashore onto rocks at the foot of the 400-feet-high cliffs. Whilst doing so, the woman’s craft capsized and she fell into the sea.
The pair were not wearing lifejackets and had neither radios nor mobile phones to call for help. Fortunately, a member of the public on the marine drive, high above the scene, happened to see their plight and made a 999 call to the Coastguard.
As a result, Llandudno’s RNLI inshore lifeboat launched at 5.15pm, reaching the scene shortly afterwards. The two casualties and one canoe were immediately picked up and taken to the resort’s north shore, where the woman was passed to a waiting ambulance crew to be treated for hypothermia; her companion was unharmed. The second canoe was later also recovered and brought ashore to prevent it becoming a maritime hazard.
