Fowey RNLI launch to assist mother and child stuck in mud
Fowey RNLI crew members launch inshore lifeboat for the second time in two days.
In D-Class Olive Three volunteer crew members left Fowey lifeboat station at 2pm on Sunday 8 April to reports of kayakers in difficulty.
On his first rescue after qualifying as D-Class helm Adam Russell alongside Callum Pritchard and Sandy Finlay headed two miles upstream to a creek close to St Winnow where two people had got into difficulties after running aground in their kayak in soft, deep mud.
Using every piece of rope on the lifeboat to create a lifeline - the painter line, the main towing line, the towing bridle, the heaving line, the throw bag and finally all the anchor chain and line - Callum was able to creep across the mud up a small creek for 200 yards until, after nearly 40 minutes, he reached the kayak and fixed a tow. He then rode the kayak with the casualties as it was dragged towards the channel by the inshore lifeboat. This was, as the tide was quickly dropping further, making the tow harder for the helm as there was less and less water to work in.
The fire brigade and local coastguard responded but were unable to assist due to the distance from the safe shore line. The casualties were becoming very cold and were wrapped in thermal blankets and taken to Penmarlam.
The Olive Three was then brought back to Fowey Lifeboat station, pressure washed and made ready for service by 4pm.
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For more information please contact Cath Beard, volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for Fowey RNLI on 07969 693218. For urgent calls out of hours please contact the Duty RNLI 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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