Five kayakers were rescued by the AFM this afternoon after they found themselves in difficulty off Ghar Hasan.

The kayakers had planned to paddle from Wied iz-Zurrieq to the Freeport area on three inflatable kayaks. At around 1.30 p.m. one of the kayakers phoned the AFM’s Rescue Co-ordination Centre calling for assistance as one of their inflatable kayaks had sunk off Ghar Hasan. The sea was moderate to rough.

An AFM Air Wing Alouette rescue helicopter was scrambled and a Maritime Squadron rescue launch, the “Melita-1”, was dispatched at speed from its base at Haywharf in Pieta`.

The helicopter crew found the kayakers clinging to the two remaining kayaks. One kayaker, Matthew Pace, was winch-hoisted onboard the helicopter and the others were pulled on board the Melita-1. Mr Pace was later also transferred to the rescue launch, which then proceeded to Haywharf Base, the AFM said.

The other kayakers were Christian Muscat, Andrea Scorcia, Andrea Gauci and Marianne Attard.