Rock RNLI volunteers rescue exhausted sailor
Volunteer RNLI crew at Rock, Cornwall, reacted quickly to a sailor in difficulty off the north Cornish coast.
A man was adrift in a small 5.4 metre wooden sailing boat which had suffered damage, as well as engine failure approximately a mile and a half off the north Cornish coast, beyond the entrance of the Camel estuary.
The sailor was totally exhausted, having been at sea for three days.
Whilst he was very well prepared with suitable safety equipment - VHF radio, distress flares, charts etc. and was wearing a lifejacket - the middle aged man was in need of support before his situation potentially worsened, and before nightfall.
The boat and its grateful owner was towed in by the lifeboat, and brought back to the lifeboat station. His boat and possessions were made secure ashore, and the sailor was looked after in the station by RNLI volunteers.
Rock RNLI helm, Neil Davis said 'This was a successful rescue, thanks to the swift action of our volunteer crew and quick launch of our lifeboat. We located the sailor and his stricken boat quickly - he certainly seemed very grateful to see us arrive. Despite the fact he is clearly an experienced yachtsman, he did the right thing by calling the Coastguard and requesting assistance. If we hadn't been called so quickly, the situation would likely have escalated quickly. The rugged coastline of North Cornwall - although beautiful - is very unforgiving.'
This week, the RNLI launched their annual 'Respect the water' campaign, where all users of the sea and coastline are reminded of the dangers of being on, or near the water.
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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