Looe RNLI volunteers launch to assist a kayaker reported to be in difficulties

Volunteer crew pagers sounded at 11.50 am yesterday, Saturday 6 April 2019, following a 999 call to Falmouth coastguard control centre reporting a kayaker in difficulties at the entrance to the harbour, off the Banjo Pier. Quickly launching the charity’s D Class inshore lifeboat Ollie Naismith the crew could not locate the kayaker and requested the launch of the Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat Sheila and Dennis Tongue II, to extend the search. After a 45 minute search the inshore lifeboats had found nothing untoward and were stood down by Falmouth coastguards

The low tide, together with rough seas and force 4 south easterly winds created challenging conditions for the recovery of the inshore lifeboats, back on station the lifeboats were washed down, refuelled and made ready for service by 1.30 pm.

Dave Haines, Looe RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager, said that the first informants did the right thing in calling the coastguard after seeing what they thought was someone in trouble. 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:

· Low tide recovery of both Looe RNLI inshore lifeboats
Photo credit RNLI / Sue Foster

Information

· Re-established as an inshore lifeboat station in 1992, Looe RNLI operate two inshore lifeboats
An Atlantic 85 Sheila and Dennis Tongue II and a D Class Ollie Naismith

· 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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