Looe RNLI volunteers navigation training interrupted by a shout

The inshore lifeboat crews stood by as the paddle boarder returned to shore.

Looe RNLI’s Atlantic 85 Sheila and Dennis Tongue II had just launched for planned navigation training and was heading towards Looe Island when pagers sounded in the boathouse at 7.18 pm, yesterday evening, Wednesday 6 June 2018. Falmouth Coastguards had received multiple 999 calls reporting a paddle boarder in difficulties off Seaton. The Atlantic 85 crew was immediately tasked by the coastguards and our volunteer helm changed course and headed towards Seaton. At the same time the D Class inshore lifeboat Ollie Naismith was launching from the boathouse slipway.

On reaching a paddle boarder the Atlantic 85 crew confirmed the paddle boarder was not in any difficulty. The D Class crew made their way to speak to the first informant on Seaton beach to check this was the paddle boarder they were concerned about. The inshore lifeboat crews then stood by until the paddle boarder made their way back to Seaton, after which the volunteer crews continued with their planned navigation training.

Looe RNLI’s volunteer helms said ‘though this was a false alarm with good intent, from the shore it appeared that someone was in trouble and the informants did the right thing by calling 999. Anyone who has concerns about people along the coast or in the water should act promptly and call 999 to alert the Coastguard’.

End

Notes to editors

Photos:

· Looe RNLI’s Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat Sheila and Dennis Tongue II leaving Looe
Photo credit RNLI / Ian Foster

· Looe RNLI’s D Class inshore lifeboat Ollie Naismith leaving Looe
Photo credit RNLI / Ian Foster

· Looe RNLI’s D Class inshore lifeboat Ollie Naismith heading towards Seaton
Photo credit RNLI / Ian Foster

· For further information on Looe RNLI Lifeboats please visit our website www.looelifeboats.co.uk

· Looe RNLI Facebook page www.facebook.com/LooeRNLI

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]

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Amy Caldwell, RNLI Regional Media Manager, on 07920 818807 or [email protected]

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Emma Haines, RNLI Regional Media Officer, on 07786 668847 or [email protected]

Alternatively you can contact the RNLI Duty Press Officer on 01202 336789.

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