Falmouth RNLI volunteer lifeboat crew launches to an inflatable out at sea
Falmouth inshore lifeboat launched on 19 July to reports of an inflatable floating off the coast.
The inshore lifeboat Eve Pank was launched to aid the coastguard in looking for what was reported to be a green dinghy spotted drifting offshore from Portscatho.
The volunteer crew were paged at 8.09 pm and travelled to the estimated location. When on-scene, the vessel was located approximately 1 nautical mile further south-east. The item drifting turned out to be a form of inflatable beach chair.
A search of the area was immediately initiated and vessels in the area were questioned however it was apparent that the item has floated out from Porthcurnick beach with no person aboard.
The inshore lifeboat and crew continued a shoreline search back to Greeb Point, then headed back to station where the lifeboat was refuelled and made ready for service.
- The RNLI has issued warnings in this hot weather regarding inflatable usage in the sea, reminding people that blow-up toys and airbeds are designed for pools and not the sea where they can easily be swept out.
- The recent heatwave has also meant that other lifeboat stations around the country have been busy rescuing people who have been blown out to sea on inflatables.
For more information please contact: Justine Read, RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on [email protected] ; or Emma Haines 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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