Eight-foot waves and wind contributed to death of kayaker: RCMP

Published on June 28, 2010; Published on July 1, 2010
Staff ~ The Telegram

Topics :: RCMP , Coast Guard , Eastern Island , Coachman , Michigan

RCMP say waves as high as eight feet that came on quickly contributed to the death of a kayaker off Eastern Island near Coachman's Cove on the Baie Verte Peninsula this weekend.
The two kayakers from Michigan had just embarked around midnight Saturday when they noticed waves and winds increasing.
After attempts to turn the victim's capsized boat failed, the pair hung on to each other for hours. They were about a kilometre away from the Horse Islands.
"(With) the wind and the waves, they just couldn't hold on any more, and that's when they became separated," RCMP?media relations officer Sgt. Boyd Merrill said.
One of the men made his way to shore and activated an emergency beacon just after 6 a.m. He continued to search with Coast Guard officials until the man's body was found.
The 63-year-old man was recovered just after 2 p.m. Sunday. He is believed to have died from the wet and cold conditions.
His body has been taken to Gander for further examination.

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