Lessons Learnt: Anglesea angels of the sea

3 October 2016

Anglesea kayak rescue

On Tuesday 3 May 2016, secondary school students from Warrnambool were kayaking at Anglesea beach.

Visibility was clear and the temperature was mild, however wind was blowing offshore at an average speed of 30 knots, gusting to more than 50 knots.

At about 9am, seven double kayaks were put in the water in the sheltered part of Anglesea beach near Angelsea Surf Life Saving Club. The intention was to paddle out beyond the surf break, turn and ride a wave back in.

During the activity, one kayak carrying two students drifted outside the sheltered part of the beach and eventually capsized just beyond the surf break. The pair had difficulty getting back into the kayak and then found it impossible to paddle against the wind back into shore.

Teachers monitoring the activity on shore saw the drifting kayak and signalled for everyone to head to shore.

A second kayak capsized close to the surf break. These kayakers remained close to shore.

Two teachers in a third kayak and two students in a forth kayak paddled out to try to assist the drifting kayak. They were unsuccessful as no kayakers were able to paddle back against the 30 knot plus wind. At this point, eight people were on the water and all were in difficulty.

Two kayaks – the one that had begun drifting initially, as well as the one carrying the teachers - capsized adjacent to Foxies Reef and all four occupants swam to the reef.

The fourth kayak, with two students who had paddled out to try and assist, ended up drifting up to a nautical mile beyond Foxies Reef.

Fortunately, off-duty members of the Angelsea Surf Life Saving Club were on the beach and they responded by accessing SLSC equipment and raising the alarm.

Eventually two inflatable rescue boats (IRBs) were launched to assist the kayakers. One of the kayakers out of the pair who had capsized but not drifted away was assisted to shore by a teacher on a surfboard, the other was retrieved by one of the IRBs. The four kayakers at Foxies Reef and the two who had drifted further out to sea were returned safely to shore by lifesavers in one of the IRBs, cold but fortunately uninjured.

Anglesea sunset

Looks can be deceiving

Heads up for - All Paddlers

always wear a life jacket when paddling
don't paddle in offshore winds - particularly if you are a novice paddler
know your location and the risks involved - choose a suitable location for your activity and understand how the wind direction and sea conditions impact on the safety of that location (seek out local knowledge from someone if you are unfamiliar with the location)
check the weather when planning your activity as well as on the actual day before you head out
- check the Bureau of Meteorology website for marine forecasts, wind warnings and trends over the time you will be out
- make sure your method of obtaining weather updates will work where you are operating
- ensure you understand the weather information forecast for your area of activity, and the wind speed and direction associated with any warning or forecast issued. (Remember 1 knot = 1.85kph)
if operating near the coast, understand the effects of topography on the wind and know how to identify the lee (wind shadow) visually
know the limitations of your ability and that of your craft and equipment, and ensure they are suitable for conditions and your planned activity
know the capabilities of your group, particularly the maximum wind speed your group is able to paddle into for a sustained period - plan for the weakest member
have a contingency plan should something go wrong (eg. capsize, fatigue, effects of cold water immersion, lost paddle, broken paddle, lost craft, unexpected change in sea or wind conditions etc) and ensure your plan is understood by everyone in the group
have a plan for self-rescue and for how to get external help - if you can't self-rescue in the conditions, don't go out
carry communications equipment capable of contacting emergency services from the location of your activity (consider a phone in a waterproof pouch, VHF radio, EPIRB or personal locator beacon)
tell someone where you are going and when you will be returning, so that they can raise the alarm if you have not been able to.

Heads up for - Group Leaders

Conduct a comprehensive risk assessment during the planning of the activity and review it on the day of the activity - before heading out on the water!
Comply with guidelines such as those published by the Department of Education and Training and Canoeing Australia.
Ensure: