Lifeboat rescue: Kayak and dinghy capsize during rescue after two men become stranded in the Forth

Two people were rescued on Friday night from the Firth of Forth as coastguards received a distress call from a small sailing dinghy.

Casualties returned to shore

The two men had set off from Pettycur, one in a dinghy and one in a kayak, before getting into difficulty when they drifted much further offshore than they expected.

Kinghorn RNLI lifeboat volunteer crew was called out at 5.20pm on September 25 by the man in the dinghy, reporting a problem with the mast on the small craft.

The lifeboat located the vessel just eight minutes after launching into action with the help of a Forth Ports pilot boat.

Casualty returned to Pettycur

The individual was located approximately 2.5 miles south of Pettycur but once the rescue was underway both vessels capsized.

Lifeboat helm Mike Chalmers said: "We got the person out of the dinghy and decided we’d tow it back to Pettycur where they had set off from earlier.

"On arrival, a kayaker was also found to be present and had been accompanying the person in the dinghy. The kayaker then capsized and required to be rescued.”

He added: “Once both casualties were safely onboard the lifeboat, the dinghy then capsized as it did not have a keel. Once the crew righted and emptied it we took it under

tow. The two watercraft and casualties were taken back to Pettycur where Kinghorn Coastguard Rescue Team assisted with getting the two males safely ashore.”

"Both casualties were cold but uninjured.”

Chalmers advises that anyone going out on a small vessel ensures that the watercraft is in good condition and that they are properly prepared for the weather and conditions at sea.

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