Looe RNLI volunteers rescue a kayaker in difficulties

At 4.36 pm yesterday afternoon, Falmouth Coastguards received 999 calls from walkers on the coast path between Looe and Talland reporting a kayaker in difficulties some 500 meters off shore to the west of the Hore Stone. Within seven minutes volunteers from Looe RNLI were launching the Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat Sheila and Dennis Tongue II.

Finding his kayak taking in water and sinking, the kayaker was able to attract the attention of walkers on the coast path who raised the alarm by calling the coastguards on 999. On scene the volunteer crew quickly located the casualty who was bought on board the inshore lifeboat and taken back to Looe Lifeboat Station. His kayak was bought back to Looe by a local charter fishing boat who was in the area.

Safely back at the Lifeboat Station the kayaker was given water safety information by our Community Safety Officer and he has asked us to thank the walkers on the coast path who saw him in difficulties and raised the alarm.

Looe RNLI’s Community Safety Office Jasper Graham-Jones recommends to anyone who goes out onto the water, carry a means of calling for help and keeping the equipment accessible at all times. Ideally a personal locator beacon (PLB), waterproof VHF handheld radio or a mobile phone in a waterproof pouch.

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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 Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat Sheila and Dennis Tongue II returning to Looe
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]

or

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

or

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

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

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