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Jet ski rider rescues kayakers caught out by turning tide

HM Coastguard Kirkcudbright An RNLI lifeboat coming back into shore with a bright yellow kayak attachedHM Coastguard Kirkcudbright
Two rescue operations were mounted in the same afternoon after kayakers got into difficulty

A jet ski rider rescued two struggling kayakers after they got into difficulty off the south of Scotland coast.

HM Coastguard was called out at about 12:20 on Tuesday to the scene near Auchenlarie Holiday Park near Gatehouse of Fleet.

However, a bystander with a jet ski made his way out to the kayakers who had been caught out by offshore winds and a turning tide.

He was able to bring them to shore where the coastguard met them and checked them over.

HM Coastguard Kirkcudbright A lifeboat and crew out on the open waterHM Coastguard Kirkcudbright
The coastguard has advised kayakers and paddleboarders to follow safety advice before heading out onto the water

Kirkcudbright RNLI was also sent to the scene and was able to bring both kayaks to shore before returning to base.

HM Coastguard said it had been a "great partnership working together".

They were called out for a second time on the same day at 16:25 to the nearby Mossyard Caravan Park due to concerns about another two kayakers who appeared to be struggling.

Kirkcudbright RNLI and Fleet Bay Inshore Rescue were called out to the incident and the people were safely brought to shore.

Coastguards repeated their advice to kayakers or paddleboarders to make sure they prepared before heading out on the water.

They said people should make sure they had a personal flotation device, fully charged phone in a waterproof pouch and a personal locator beacon.

In addition, they advised labelling any kit so the coastguard could check on safety if it was found.