Looe RNLI lifeboat crew go to the aid of a broken down Dory

A tow line was quickly established and the boat with four people on board was safely towed back to her moorings above Looe bridge.

The pagers of Looe RNLI’s volunteer crew sounded at 5.35 pm yesterday evening when HM Coastguard at Falmouth received reports of a 15’ Dory boat with engine failure. The charity’s Atlantic 85 Sheila and Dennis Tongue II launched at 5.45 pm and within 10 minutes located the boat drifting between Looe Island and Portnadler beach. With the increasing wind a tow line was quickly established to prevent the boat drifting further. The boat was safely towed back to her moorings above Looe bridge for repairs.

The Atlantic 85 returned to Looe Lifeboat Station where she was washed down and refuelled ready to go back on service at 6.25pm.

This was a routine rescue for Looe RNLI, but as the weather improves and the evenings draw out, boat users will be thinking about taking their craft onto the water for the first time this year. Before you do, the volunteer crew at Looe Lifeboat station recommend you undertake a routine check of the hull and engine, always wear serviceable life jackets and have the appropriate licence and training to use a VHF Radio.

Atlantic 85 crew: David Jackman (helm), Toby Bray, John Crabb and Clive Palfrey

Shore crew: Richard Rix, Brian Bowdler and Paul Barley

END

Notes to editors

· Picture - Looe RNLI Atlantic 85 Sheila and Dennis Tongue II towing the Dory boat in Looe River credit Richard Davies

· Picture - Looe RNLI Atlantic 85 Sheila and Dennis Tongue II returning to Looe Lifeboat Station credit RNLI / Ian Foster

· Stock Picture - Looe RNLI Atlantic 85 Sheila and Dennis Tongue II
credit RNLI / Ian Foster

· For further information on Looe RNLI Lifeboats please visit our website www.looelifeboats.co.uk

RNLI media contacts

For more information please telephone Ian Foster, RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for Looe Lifeboat Station, on 07902 753228 or [email protected] or [email protected]

or

Amy Caldwell, RNLI Public Relations Manager, on 07920 818807 or [email protected]

or

Emma Haines, RNLI Press Officer, on 07786 668847 or [email protected]

Alternatively you can contact the RNLI Duty Press Officer on 01202 336789.

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.

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