413 Squadron rescues kayaker off PEI

Members of 413 Transport and Rescue Squadron were called out around 11:30 p.m. Monday to search for an overdue kayaker who was last seen paddling in Malpeque Bay, Prince Edward Island (PEI).

The 44-year-old kayaker got caught in 80-kilometre winds, which pushed him out of the Bay toward the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Fortunately, he managed to get to the last sandbar and avoid being swept into the Gulf.

After being overdue for four hours, family and friends contacted the local authorities that in turn contacted the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre in Halifax.

CH-149 Cormorant helicopters located the kayaker around 1:30 a.m., Aug. 19 and landed on the sandbar and rescued both the man and his kayak. He was then transported back to his home in Indian River, PEI, where family and friends were relieved that he was found safe and sound.