Looe RNLI volunteers search for a person cut off by the tide

Launching the charity’s Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat the crew conducted a coastal search. Finding nothing the lifeboat was stood down and returned to station.

Earlier this afternoon, Monday 5 November 2018, a 999 call was received by Falmouth Coastguard control centre expressing concern for a person, possibly cut off by the tide, last seen walking west from Tregantle beach towards Portwrinkle. Our volunteer crew were paged at 1.29 pm and launching the charity’s Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat Sheila and Dennis Tongue II headed across Looe bay towards Portwrinkle. Helmed by Clive Palfrey, with crew members Brian Bowdler, Aaron Rix and Matt Jaycock, the crew conducted a search from Portwrinkle to Tregantle and back to Portwrinkle whilst members of Looe Coastguard team searched the cliff paths.

Finding nothing, the Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat was stood down and returned to station, where she was washed down, refuelled and made ready for service by 3 pm.

One of our volunteer helms Brian Bowdler said that the first informants did the right thing in calling the coastguard after losing sight of the walker and not seeing them return along the beach. Our volunteer crews would always rather launch and not be needed, than not be called and learn that someone was really in danger. Anyone who has concerns about people along the coast should act promptly and call 999 to alert the Coastguard.

End

Notes to editors

Photos:

· Looe RNLI Atlantic 85 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]

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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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