Busy four days for Padstow RNLI lifeboat volunteers

The volunteers at Padstow RNLI lifeboat station had a busy four days after they were tasked to four separate incidents.

RNLB Spirit of Padstow was launched on Saturday 30 June just before 7pm to reports of two swimmers missing in the area of Mother Ivy’s bay. It was believed the pair may have swum to the Madrips. As the lifeboat was about to begin a search, the swimmers were spotted in the middle of the bay. The crew immediately assisted them onto the lifeboat and brought them to safety ashore.

The following afternoon (Sunday 1 July), the lifeboat was tasked to launch to the assistance of a motor yacht which had become caught in fishing gear approximately 20 nautical miles north of Padstow. Once on the scene, the lifeboat launched their smaller Y boat and successfully freed the fishing gear from the yacht’s propeller. The lifeboat then towed the yacht back to the harbour to be assessed for any further damage.

On Monday 2 July, the lifeboat was tasked just before 8:30am to a fishing vessel 15 nautical miles north of Padstow suffering mechanical failure. Once on scene, the lifeboat took the vessel under tow and, as the harbour was inaccessible due to the falling tide, assisted her back to her mooring in the river. The lifeboat was then refuelled and ready for service at 12:30pm.

The following day, Tuesday 3 July, the lifeboat was launched to reports of two boats in trouble off Cataclews point, just under a mile off the station. When the lifeboat arrived on scene, RNLI lifeguards were already assisting the vessels so the lifeboat returned to the station, ready for service.

Richard Pitman, RNLI Coxswain at Padstow, said: ‘It has been a very busy few days for the crew with a variety of call outs for us. The RNLI advises that anyone enjoying the hot weather at the coast always has a way of calling for help if in difficulty.’

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.