A quick change for Looe RNLI lifeboat crew to assist a cabin cruiser out of fuel

Unable to locate the cruiser the D Class inshore lifeboat was also launched to continue the search along the coastline whilst the Atlantic 85 searched further out into Looe bay. The cruiser with two occupants on board was located-some nine miles south east of Looe and towed back to the landing pontoon in Looe river by the Atlantic 85.

At 4.03 pm yesterday afternoon HM Coastguard Falmouth paged Looe RNLI volunteer crews after receiving a mobile phone call from a 16 foot cabin cruiser which had left Polperro earlier and had run out of fuel, they were unsure of their position thinking they were one mile south of Looe. Several of the volunteer crew were in the boathouse changing into dry clothes following the afternoon’s sailing when their pagers sounded. Quickly changing into their RNLI dry suits, lifejackets and helmets the charity’s Atlantic 85 Sheila and Dennis Tongue II, was launched two minutes later at 4.05pm.

The Atlantic 85 made contact with the cruiser by mobile phone but was unable to locate the craft close to shore. A decision was made to launch the D Class inshore lifeboat Ollie Naismith at 4.52 pm to continue the search close to shore allowing the Atlantic 85 to search further out onto Looe bay. Around 5.30 pm the Atlantic 85 located the cruiser with two occupants onboard some nine miles south east of Looe. A tow line was established and the cruiser was towed back to the landing pontoon in Looe river by 6pm.

The lifeboats launched at low tide, weather was sunny and the sea was calm with light variable winds.

The Atlantic 85 and D Class inshore lifeboats returned to Looe Lifeboat Station where they were washed down and refuelled ready to go back on service at 6.30 pm.

Looe RNLI strongly recommend the use of a VHF Radio rather than relying on a mobile phone as mobile signals are unreliable out at sea. Lifeboats cannot home into the signal of a mobile phone but with a radio they can and will find you more quickly. Make sure your boat is sea worthy, check you have enough fuel for your planned journey, have suitable navigation aids and always wear lifejackets.

Atlantic 85 crew: Matthew Jaycock (helm), David Jackman, Ben Crabb and Aaron Rix

D Class crew: Clive Palfrey (helm), Richard Porter and Dan King

Shore crew Dave Haines, Nick Pope, Richard Rix, Graham Rich and Paul Barley

END

Notes to editors

· Picture -
Looe RNLI Atlantic 85 Sheila and Dennis Tongue II towing the cruiser by the Banjo Pier
credit RNLI / Ian Foster

· Picture -
Looe RNLI Atlantic 85 Sheila and Dennis Tongue II and D Class Ollie Naismith in Looe river with the cruiser

· 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

Carrie Garrad, 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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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

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