These are high on the list of craft at risk. Apart from the Canadian and seagoing models, the majority are flat-bottomed and 'sit' on the sea and in consequence can be adversely affected by wind and waves, easily capsize and become difficult to re-enter. The Lyme Bay tragedy, a few years back, was almost certainly due to freshening winds and increasing waves, both compounded by inexperience.

About a year ago, a similar incident occurred involving a group of canoeists in Starehole Bay; the watchkeeper was horrified to see many of them in the rough water separated from their canoes. Fortunately, a fishing vessel was in the vicinity to take them onboard so avoiding a potential catastrophe.

Vulnerable craft - canoeists

When with the Coastguard at Hope Cove, we were called out on several occasions to escort groups of canoeists from Salcombe to the safety of Hope Cove; this stretch of the coast can be very dangerous with high cliffs and only one landing place at Soar Mill Cove, not easy in rough seas and an onshore wind. In the early 1980's, in company with a fellow coastguard, I had just finished a well-lubricated evening meal, following a golf match at Thurlestone, when we heard the coastguard maroon (no bleepers in those days!). On ringing the CG station we were told of a canoeist in trouble off Bolt Tail, in the tide race. We went to the Hope Cove CG station, donned our yellow waterproofs but then realised in smooth soled leather shoes our progress up the cliff was going to be slow if not perilous, so back on went our studded golf shoes. We proceeded to Redrop Cove, a small inlet of rocks and boulders. There we found, not one but 14 persons and 13 canoes, one had been lost in the tide race, stranded on the rocks, all carrying between 40 - 60 lbs. of equipment. We set up portable lights and over the next hour or so hauled them, plus canoes and equipment, up the 180 ft. cliff. A month later, they expressed their gratitude in the traditional manner in a local hostelry. If these canoeists had telephoned the Coastguard before setting out, they would have saved everyone a lot of bother. Derek Yeoman. Deputy station manager