Exhausted canoeist WHILE ON EXERCISE at 1615 on Friday, June 20, Port Talbot ILB crew saw people on the tip of the breakwater who were indicating that someone was in distress in the heavy surf on its seaward side. There was a fresh south-westerly breeze and a moderate sea with heavy surf; it was high water.

The ILB found an exhausted canoeist, within feet of the breakwater rocks, clinging to his capsized canoe with a surfbather trying to support him. He was taken aboard the ILB and his canoe taken in tow. In a matter of minutes he was landed on the lee side of the breakwater and soon recovered after being given a hot drink at the boathouse. The ILB then continued on exercise..