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Looe RNLI rescues canoeist in difficulties off Polperro

About the author

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Emma Haines
Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer

Lifeboats News Release

  • Date:
    11/05/2011
  • Author: Emma Haines

Looe RNLI rescues canoeist in difficulties off Polperro

A canoeist was rescued from the sea near Polperro on Saturday afternoon (May 7).

The alarm was raised by a concerned member of the public on the coast path, who spotted a man in difficulties off Polperro harbour.

Looe’s Atlantic lifeboat ‘Alan and Margaret’ was launched at 2.20pm.

The man, a 42-year-old from the Liskeard area, was found by the lifeboat crew in the water trying to swim ashore with his canoe.

Lifeboat operations manager David Haines said the man had been in the water for thirty minutes before being spotted from the shore:

‘It was lucky the man was spotted struggling from the shore as he had been in the water for quite a while and was very tired. The south-easterly wind made for difficult conditions as there was a moderate swell. Fortunately, the man was uninjured.’

The man was taken to Talland Bay beach and met by Looe Coastguard team.

Crew were helm Nick Pope and crew Toby Bray and Sam Pearson

Notes to editors

For those going out to sea, the RNLI's top sea safety tips are:

 

1. Wear a lifejacket

2. Get relevant training

3. Carry a means of calling for help

4. Check engine and fuel

5. Tell others where you are going

6. Check weather and tides

 

 

Media contacts

 

For more information contact volunteer lifeboat press officer Emma Haines on 07979 452693 or email emmahaines2010@googlemail.com

 

 

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Key facts about the RNLI

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution is the charity that saves lives at sea. Our volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland from 236 lifeboat stations, including four along the River Thames and inland lifeboat stations at Loch Ness, Lough Derg, Enniskillen and Lough Ree. Additionally the RNLI has more than 1,000 lifeguards on over 180 beaches around the UK and operates a specialist flood rescue team, which can respond anywhere across the UK and Ireland when inland flooding puts lives at risk.

The RNLI relies on public donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. As a charity it is separate from, but works alongside, government-controlled and funded coastguard services. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824 our lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved at least 140,000 lives. Volunteers make up 95% of the charity, including 4,600 volunteer lifeboat crew members and 3,000 volunteer shore crew. Additionally, tens of thousands of other dedicated volunteers raise funds and awareness, give safety advice, and help in our museums, shops and offices.

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The RNLI is a charity registered in England and Wales (209603) and Scotland (SC037736). Charity number CHY 2678 in the Republic of Ireland

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