Two shouts for Falmouth's Inshore Lifeboat and Crew

At 12.14pm on Friday 26 October, the inshore lifeboat with Helm Tom Telford, Tom Bird and Tamara Brookes were tasked to assist a group of paddle boarders and kayakers struggling with the wind off Maenporth beach.

The inshore lifeboat and crew arrived to find that a passing boat had recovered the paddle board and 3 children who were in trouble.

After ascertaining that there were more people potentially in difficulty, crew were placed ashore to speak to family on the beach and understand who else was unaccounted for. The boat who had helped previously assisted the kayaker and once all were accounted for and with the Falmouth Coastguard Rescue Team and an ambulance, the lifeboat returned to the station.

Later that day, Helm Neil Capper, Tom Telford and Tom Bird launched at 4.13pm to reports of a walker who had got into difficulty while walking and rock climbing between Gyllyngvase Beach and Swanpool. The casualty was walking between the two beaches on the rocks and got cut off by the tide. Having tried to climb the cliff and finding himself stuck 30 – 40 foot up on the crumbling cliffs, he sensibly stayed where he was and awaited help.

The inshore lifeboat arrived on scene at 4.20pm, with the Falmouth Coastguard Rescue Team also on scene. Once their kit was set up, the decision was made to evacuate the male casualty down the cliff edge and onto the bow of the inshore lifeboat, as the tide was still coming in.

Once onto the inshore lifeboat, the individual was dropped to Gyllyngvase Beach and passed to the Coastguard team and police.

The inshore lifeboat and crew then returned to the Falmouth lifeboat station and was refuelled and made ready for service by 5.20pm.

• Slips and falls from coastal walking and running are the biggest cause of death on our coastlines. Always check the weather and tides. Always take a means of calling for help.
• The light, buoyant design of a paddle board means that in an offshore breeze, you can quickly find yourself a long way from the shore and it can be extremely difficult to get back.
• Avoid offshore winds, and always wear your leash. Hold onto your board if you get into trouble - it will help you float.

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

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.