Whitehaven Coastguard responded to reports of kayakers in difficulty south of the town.

The coastguard team at Whitehaven were sent out on April 8 following a 999 call being received to by the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) Belfast Coastguard.

They relayed the report of two sea kayakers close to shore off Whitehaven and possibly in difficulty.

The first informant reported seeing the kayakers in the vicinity just south, between Tom Hurd Rock and Saltom Pit.

With further information received from the MRCC whilst en route, to say it now looked like the kayaks were landing ashore, the team needed to arrive on scene as that area is a rocky foreshore and would not be an area to attempt to beach at high water unless there was an emergency.

With the tide having just passed high water and begging to ebb, one team was deployed to Whitehaven South shore and another to Saltom Pit to access the shore, both with medical packs to assist in case their was an issue.

Hasty searches were conducted to locate the kayaks with the waves up to the base of the cliffs and with rope rescue equipment to hand if required.

With assistance of the duty Lock Keeper at Whitehaven Marina, the Coastguard team were informed the kayakers were now inside the Outer Harbour, but all appeared well as they were about to head back out to sea.

Observed the kayaks for a short while, they were seen to be wearing the full safety equipment and happily exploring the shoreline, unaware of the team’s presence and short search to locate them.

A spokesperson for Whitehaven Coastguard said: “This type of tasking is classed as a false alarm with good intent and as always we thank the first informant for reporting their concerns.

“We would much rather be tasked to check and not be required, than you not make that 999 call and someone be in need of our assistance.

“Early calls for help at the coast, at sea, on the coastal paths and marinas ensure the appropriate assets are considered and deployed by our MRCC to bring any given incident to a safe conclusion.”