Sea Cadets on training course rescue islander from St. Aubin’s Bay

Monday 11 April 2022

A crew of Jersey Sea Cadets on a safety course with an off-duty RNLI crew member rescued an islander yesterday morning after their rowing vessel capsized in St. Aubin’s Bay.

Another islander, whose foot was trapped under the vessel, was rescued shortly after by a RNLI crew.

Another islander, whose foot was trapped under the vessel, was rescued shortly after by a RNLI crew.

Jersey Coastguard asked the St. Helier inshore lifeboat (ILB) to launch at 08:40 on Sunday morning after receiving a mayday call from a two-person rowing vessel that had capsized in St Aubin’s Bay. 

Due to the incident involving a person in the water, Jersey Coastguard also asked for the St Helier all-weather lifeboat to launch.

A Jersey Sea Cadets vessel helmed by an off-duty RNLI crew member was the first on scene. They were conducting an RYA Safety Boat course in the bay and responded to the mayday call. 

They managed to pull one of the two casualties from the water and when the St Helier ILB arrived on the scene at 8:50, the RNLI rescued the second casualty, whose foot had been trapped under the small vessel’s footplate. 

Both islanders were assessed and treated for cold water exposure by the crew before being transferred to the ILB.

They were then taken back to St. Helier Harbour where a team of paramedics was waiting for them.

In a post shared on their Facebook page, the RNLI Jersey warned islanders of the dangers of cold water.

“The sea temperature this morning was a cool 10°C,” they wrote. “Anything below 15°C is defined as cold water and can seriously affect your breathing and movement, so the risk is significant most of the year. It is important to always be prepared for the cold water, even if you have no intention of entering the water.”

The crew also issued advice on what steps people can take “to deal with cold water shock and minimise the risks”.

"If you enter the water unexpectedly:

• Take a minute. The initial effects of cold water pass in less than a minute so don't try to swim straight away.
• Relax and float on your back to catch your breath. Try to get hold of something that will help you float.
• Keep calm then call for help or swim for safety if you're able.

"If you're planning on enjoying the water:

• Check conditions - including water temperature before heading out.
• Wear a wetsuit of appropriate thickness for the amount of time you plan to spend in the water and the type of activity you're doing, if entering.
• Wear a flotation device. It greatly increases your chances of making it through the initial shock."