Falmouth RNLI Lifeboat volunteer crew respond to reports of a car in the water
Falmouth’s inshore lifeboat Eve Pank was launched on Sunday 3 December as part of a multi-agency response to reports of a car with two people inside in the river near the Pandora Inn, Mylor.
Falmouth Coastguard Rescue Team, South Western Ambulance Service, Devon & Cornwall Police and Water Rescue Units and a rescue tender from the Fire Service were also tasked to assist.
The volunteer lifeboat crew were already at the station cleaning the lifeboat and carrying out maintenance work when the pagers were activated. The inshore lifeboat launched at 1pm with Tom Telford (Helm), Tom Bird and Jamie Connolly on board and proceeded up river towards Mylor, arriving on scene at 1.05pm
It was quickly established that the vehicle in question was an ‘amphibious car’, being tested by its owners. It was was stuck on a mud bank but with a rising tide and having ascertained that the vehicle had sufficient safety equipment including lifejackets, and its owners were experienced in boating, it was decided that no assistance was required and all crews were stood down.
After passing on safety information to the amphibious vehicle’s owners, the inshore lifeboat was released from service at 1.20pm and returned to the station and, after refuelling, was ready for service at 1.50pm.
Although a false alarm, it was made with good intention, as to many it would have looked like a normal car with passengers in the river. Calling 999 and asking for the Coastguard was the correct response in this situation.
RNLI media contacts
For more information please contact; Justine Read, RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07857 522378, [email protected]; or Carrie Garrad Regional Media Officer on 07786 668847, [email protected]; or contact RNLI Public Relations 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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