Volunteer lifeboat crews from Looe RNLI respond to four shouts within five hours
Volunteer crews with Looe RNLI were kept busy yesterday afternoon, Tuesday 22 August 2017, launching the charity’s D Class inshore lifeboat to four service calls within five hours
Volunteer crews with Looe RNLI were kept busy yesterday afternoon, Tuesday 22 August 2017, launching the charity’s D Class inshore lifeboat to four service calls within five hours.
The first call of the afternoon came in at 2.39 pm with reports of two children in difficulties swimming out of their depth by the Banjo Pier. Within seven minutes volunteer crew Toby Bray (helm ) Aaron Rix and Richard Porter launched the D Class inshore lifeboat Ollie Naismith. On arrival the crew found the children had made it back onto the beach using the incoming tide. After confirming everyone was safe and accounted for the lifeboat returned to Looe Lifeboat Station and made ready for service.
Less than two hours later, crew pagers sounded at 4.23 pm following reports of three persons cut off by the incoming tide on Second beach, between the main beach and Plaidy. The Ollie Naismith was launched and quickly reached the location. On arrival the people were found to be making their way back across the rocks to the beach. The lifeboat stood by until they were safely on the beach and returned to station just before 5pm.
Whilst the volunteer crew of Brian Bowdler, Matthew Jaycock and Aaron Rix were making the D Class ready for her next service they received a telephone call at the Lifeboat Station from the wife of a swimmer who was exhausted after swimming off Plaidy beach. Still in their drysuits, a decision was taken to self launch and the caller was advised that the lifeboat was on it’s way and she should also phone 999 for the Coastguard and Ambulance. On arrival at Plaidy beach the swimmer was found to be on shore, semi conscious and at risk of hypothermia. The RNLI crew administered oxygen and first aid keeping the swimmer warm and he was making a good recovery as the Ambulance service arrived. Looe Coastguard Team was also in attendance.
The Ollie Naismith returned to the boathouse and crews made her ready for service at 6.34 pm. Thirty two minutes later, crews who had just left the lifeboat station were seen running back as their pagers sounded for the fourth time at 7.06 pm. Reports were being received of a person falling from his kayak between Looe Island and Hannafore. The D Class inshore lifeboat launched within six minutes. On arrival, helm David Jackman, with crew members Matthew Jaycock and Brian Bowdler found that the kayaker had made it safely ashore, aided by the onshore wind. After a quick welfare check the lifeboat returned to the station and made ready for her next service.
Dave Haines, Lifeboat Operations Manager with Looe RNLI says “What started off with two routine service calls quickly changed with two more serious incidents as the wind increased and the sea state became rough.
Dave Haines goes on to say that “As sea conditions worsen you can become exhausted very quickly if out swimming or rowing. Staying parallel to the shore line makes it easier to get ashore if conditions change. The RNLI’s advice to anyone who spots a person struggling in the water is to dial 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.”
Shore crew supporting the volunteer boat crews - John Pope, Paul Barley, Chris Lewis, Richard Rix and other members of the boat crew who responded to the pagers.
END
Notes to editors
· Looe RNLI D Class Ollie Naismith heading over to Hannafore on the 4th shout
Credit Looe RNLI / Ian Foster
· Looe RNLI D Class Ollie Naismith braving rough seas on the 4th shout
Credit Looe 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
Carrie Garrad, RNLI Press Officer, on 07786 668847 or [email protected]
Alternatively you can contact the RNLI Duty Press Officer on 01202 336789.
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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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