STRICKEN kayaks in two locations led to both Tenby's lifeboats launching to their aid on Thursday afternoon, August 16.

The first call came at 5.15pm, when the coastguard received a call to say that three kayaks were in difficulty somewhere between Waterwynch and Monkstone.

The inshore lifeboat was quickly on the water, with the all-weather craft put on standby.

As the search began, Tenby coastguard confirmed that the occupant of one kayak had got ashore on the North Beach, but the other kayaks were last seen heading towards Monkstone.

As the inshore lifeboat crew approached Monkstone, they were flagged down by someone on the beach. This turned out to be one of the kayakers, who had managed to get ashore. She said that the third kayaker was last seen between Monkstone and St Catherine's Island, but had capsized and not been seen since.

The lifeboat immediately headed towards St Catherine's and saw another kayaker approaching the North Beach. Luckily, it turned out to be the final missing kayaker.

With all casualties accounted for, the inshore lifeboat returned to Monkstone beach and collected the kayaker from there, before dropping her at North Beach and reuniting her with her friends and Tenby coastguard team.

During this rescue, the all-weather lifeboat was launched at 5.45pm following a report that a kayak had capsized off Swanlake Bay, near Manorbier, leaving two people in the water.

News then came through that both casualties had managed to get to safety, with one swimming ashore and the other climbing a cliff, and both were now with the coastguard.

The lifeboat recovered the kayak to prevent further calls from concerned members of the public, and took it ashore to Freshwater East via its Y-boat.