Nathan Outlaw helps launch Port Isaac RNLI’s fundraising appeal

The cheque presentation made by his team at Outlaw’s Fish Kitchen, kick starts the Port Isaac Fundraising Appeal which is launched today (1 November) to raise the £52,000 needed to fund the new lifeboat.

A D class inshore lifeboat has served Port Isaac since 1967 but the present one, the Copeland Bell, has reached the end of its operational life and needs to be replaced. The new lifeboat will be of the very latest design and will be faster, fitted out with high-tech navigation equipment and an updated first aid kit. The appeal aims to raise the total amount needed to provide the lifeboat, its engine and all relevant equipment to help save lives at sea.

The D class lifeboat has been the workhorse of the RNLI for 50 years. It’s small and highly manoeuvrable, making it ideal for rescues close to shore. It has a single outboard engine and can be righted manually by the three crew following a capsize.

Bob Bulgin, Volunteer RNLI Chairman of Port Isaac RNLI says the D class lifeboat is a vital asset to the stretch of coastline served by the Port Isaac volunteer crew. He says:

‘The north Cornwall coast is exposed to westerly storms and large surf rolling in off the Atlantic, with steep cliffs, caves and sheltered coves the conditions our volunteer crews are working in are often challenging. This new D class inshore lifeboat will provide us with a valuable tool and compliment the fleet of D class lifeboats at Bude and Rock which are supported by the all-weather lifeboat at Padstow to provide safety cover along the coastline.

‘We are very grateful to Nathan Outlaw and his team for kick starting our appeal with such an incredible amount. Outlaw’s Fish Kitchen is situated right next to the lifeboat station in the harbour and Nathan has supported the charity for a long time. This will go a long way towards the £52,000 needed to fund the lifeboat and we’re looking forward to a calendar of events over the next year to raise the money needed.’

Through customer donations at Outlaw's Fish Kitchen, the small, 20 seat restaurant located in the heart of the village, managed to raise the £14,000 over the course of a year.

The smaller of Nathan's two restaurants in Port Isaac, Outlaw's Fish Kitchen, achieved 1 Michelin star in its first year of opening, which it has subsequently retained each year since. The restaurant neighbours the Port Isaac RNLI, and has supported the life boat station through customer donations and fund raising from its very first opening day, raising over £27,000 since August 2013.

Ian Dodgson, General Manager for Outlaw’s Fish Kitchen says of the restaurant's fundraising: ‘We're completely honoured to be able to support such a worthy cause. What I think most people forget is that the RNLI is made up of volunteers willing to take time out of their lives, and often disrupt their business, when responding to shout outs. The team at Port Isaac all have a huge undertaking to respond to regular calls and keep the station well prepared, along with the constant need to raise funds; they are all local people selflessly giving their time. It's a privilege to be able to help in any way towards ensuring they have the best equipment and resources for them to better respond to shout outs in dangerous conditions at sea, and we're delighted to hear that this year's £14,000 will kick start the fund raising campaign for a new boat.’

People wishing to support the appeal can donate in a number of ways; by sending a cheque made out to the Port Isaac Lifeboat Appeal c/o Port Isaac Lifeboat Station, Slipway Hotel Garage, Port Isaac Cornwall, PL29 3RL or by contacting the station chairman Bob Bulgin either on 01208 880765 or [email protected] and quoting the Appeal. Members of the public can also support the appeal by supporting the many RNLI events due to be held in the coming months at Port Isaac. Additional information will be provided on the station’s Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/rnliportisaac/

Notes to editors

• General Manager of Outlaw’s Fish Kitchen Ian Dodgson (right) presenting a cheque for £14,000 to RNLI Lifeboat operations Manager Chris Bolton (centre) and Treasurer David Raynor (left) and other volunteers at Port Isaac RNLI and Outlaw’s Fish Kitchen staff
• In 2013 a Silver Medal was awarded to Port Isaac helm Damien Bolton and Bronze Medals awarded to crew members Nichola Bradbury and Matthew Main in recognition of their courage, boat handling skill, initiative and leadership in very difficult sea conditions when the lifeboat save the life of one man on the morning of April 8 2012 who, with another, had been swept into the sea from beneath the cliffs at Tregardock whilst walking back from angling on the rocks. The service was conducted in north easterly force 4/5 winds with steep breaking three metre waves. Unable to approach due to the sea conditions, rocky foreshore and ropes floating in the water, the lifeboat was veered down to within three metres of the casualties. One man was brought aboard and cared for by the lifeboat crew. Sadly, the other man had passed away. Both casualties were taken ashore by the lifeboat crew.

RNLI media contacts

For more information please contact volunteer press officer for Port Isaac RNLI Bob Bulgin on 01208 880765 / 07768631526 or [email protected]

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For more information on the RNLI please visit www.rnli.org.uk. News releases and other media resources, including RSS feeds, downloadable photos and video, are available at the RNLI Press Centre www.rnli.org.uk/press

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

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.