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Ilfracombe RNLI lifeboats launched to report of four people cut off by tide

Lifeboats News Release

The Ilfracombe RNLI all-weather Shannon class lifeboat and D Class inshore lifeboat were launched on Thursday 11 April 2019 following reports that four people were cut off by rising tides at Combe Martin.

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The Ilfracombe volunteer lifeboat crews had just completed their Thursday night training exercise when a request was received from Falmouth coastguard at 8.14 p.m. to investigate a report that four people had been seen cut off by the rising tide on rocks at Combe Martin.

The Ilfracombe Shannon class lifeboat The Barry and Peggy High Foundation was already in the water following the exercise and so immediately set off for Combe Martin. The Ilfracombe D Class inshore lifeboat The Deborah Brown II which had already been recovered back into the boathouse was promptly launched at 8.17 p.m. also made its way quickly along the coast. Conditions were good with a slight swell and light winds however, it was getting dark and the tide was rising.

On arriving at Combe Martin however, it was found that the four people were fisherman who were standing on the rocks. The lifeboat crew made sure the fishermen were not in any danger and then returned to the station and both lifeboats were recovered back into the boathouse by 8.40 p.m.

Carl Perrin, Volunteer Coxswain for Ilfracombe RNLI lifeboat says ‘the member of the public who called the coastguard did the right thing in raising the alarm. In this instance it was a false alarm with good intent as the fisherman were not in danger, however it is better to be safe than sorry. We are always happy to be called out when people believe that lives may be in danger as our principal concern is to make sure that people are safe. If anyone does see someone they believe may be in danger then they should dial 999 and ask for the coastguard’.

Notes to editors

RNLI media contacts

For more information please telephone Paula Kingdon, Ilfracombe RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07786 433744 or [email protected]; or Emma Haines, Press Officer (South) on 07786 668847; or contact RNLI Media and Public Relations on 01202 336789

RNLI online

For more information on the RNLI please visit rnli.org. News releases and other media resources, including RSS feeds, downloadable photos and video, are available at the RNLI News Centre rnli.org/news-and-media.

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 over 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 142,200 lives.

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI is the charity that 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 146,700 lives.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

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.

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