Kayak Caveat: Tragedy in Newport

The U.S. Coast Guard Station at Castle Hill, RI, made a disturbing discovery on the morning of July 13, 2022. Officials said a dead body was found along the Newport shoreline at about 9 a.m. They said the victim’s kayak was spotted first without him in it, so they searched until his body was found.

The kayaker was identified as Rui Resendes, 56, of East Providence, RI.

Jim Tiernan said he was rolling out some lobster pots in a cove of Price Neck that morning when he saw rescue crews and the empty kayak. “A lot of activity, the fire department, DEM and everybody else was out there looking for the guy in the red kayak,” said Tiernan.

He said he didn’t know the victim well but said he came to the cove near the Green Bridge often to go kayaking. “I’ve seen him for years, nice guy but like I said, it was rough out there,” said Tiernan.

Cal Albanese said he spends every summer in Newport with his family. He said he comes to the cove to swim and snorkel often, agreeing the water can get dangerous. “It looks like it’s calm here, but it’s not. If you get an undertow out there, you’re in trouble. You capsize on a kayak, and you don’t have a lifejacket on you’re really risking your life,” said Albanese.

The state Department of Environmental Management took over the investigation.

Disturbing Trend

In the last year for which the USCG has issued statistics, there were 125 deaths of kayakers. Kayaks were the second-highest vessel type involved with tragic deaths. Of the 125 deaths, 107 were by drowning, which means most could have been avoided had the unfortunate people involved only been wearing a PFD. The remaining 18 casualties were because of trauma or hypothermia.

BoatTEST monitors kayak accidents and we are sad to report that there are one or two deaths each week and virtually all were not wearing life vests. Powerboaters must pay particular attention to and be mindful of kayakers because: 1) They are hard to see, often only a speck on the horizon, or they blend in with the background, and; 2) a powerboat wake can easily capsize them. Remember, a boater is responsible for damage done by his wake.