Coastguard issues warning after Forth canoeist dies

Senior News Reporter

Tuesday 11 October 2011

A GROUP of friends whose night- time canoeing and swimming trip ended in tragedy may have ventured out with the most basic safety equipment, it was claimed last night.

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BRIAN DONNELLY

Canoeist Michael Tattersall, 29, a former outdoors instructor, died after being brought unconscious and suffering from hypothermia from the Firth of Forth several hours after the fateful expedition involving another canoeist and two swimmers.

Forth Coastguard said that, although they had buoyancy aids, the group did not use high-frequency radios, flares and a mobile phone to raise the alarm.

Emergency services were alerted that two canoeists and two swimmers had got into difficulty after they went into the water at around 6pm on Sunday near Granton, Edinburgh.Rescue teams from Kinghorn, Queensferry and Anstruther in Fife began a shoreline search while RNLI lifeboats from Queensferry and Fisherow searched the sea with the RAF rescue helicopter from Boulmer in Northumberland.The swimmers made it ashore, but the search intensified in the difficult conditions as Mr Tattersall and the other canoeist remained missing. Mr Tattersall, of Leith, Edinburgh, was eventually found by the helicopter shortly after 1am, three hours after the other canoeist. He was flown to hospital where he died.In a statement, Forth Coastguard said: “We are not sure how this group got into difficulty but it is a timely reminder that as well as wearing the buoyancy aids recommended by their sports governing body, canoeists should carry hand-held very-high-frequency radio, flares and a charged mobile phone.“That way they can call for help as soon as they need it.”The spokesman said that if the party, who were all in their 30s, had the vital safety equipment it had not been used.Paul Mitchell, manager of the local Cramond Inn in Cramond, said: “I don’t know what they were trying to prove by going out at night, completely unprepared.“I know I wouldn’t do it – it was not a good idea.”Colin Holden, 66, a member of the Lothian Sea Kayak Club, said: “It’s always sad when people die through their own ignorance. If you’re going to go out at night you have to have the skill and necessary equipment.“There is a certain risk that comes with these kinds of sports and it’s a dangerous hobby if you’re inexperienced and ill-equipped.“Even if you’re a five-star paddler, you should always take extra precautions because accidents can happen all the time.”He added: “If you want to go out then join a club and build up experience before even considering paddling at night.”George Reid, owner of Dun Eideann Sea Kayaking Club, said at the time: “We have the spring tide now which means there’s more water than usual when the tide is in and less when the tide is out. But there wouldn’t have been huge currents last night so perhaps it came down to experience. If you have suitable experience to paddle at night it comes down to your own individual decision but to go out at night with no precautions in my eyes is ridiculous.”Tributes were paid to Mr Tattersall, whose nickname was Moby, on his Facebook page. His girlfriend Mo Airnes said: “Mike was involved in an accident last night and has sadly passed away. We will update you with details when we are able to and thank everyone for their support and love during this very difficult time.”Sarah Jane Gonzalez-Romero said Mr Tattersall was a “wonderful guy with a big heart”. Helen Wright posted that she was shocked at the loss of an “amazing guy who never seemed afraid to be living his dreams.”

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Coastguard issues warning after Forth canoeist dies

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