Looe RNLI volunteers deal with two kayak related shouts

The second shout was to a kayaker in an inflatable kayak off Looe Island reported to be in difficulty after losing their paddle in strong WNW winds.

On Saturday 17 August 2019 at 2,51 pm Looe RNLI volunteer pagers sounded, following a report of two teenagers on a blue kayak / dinghy in difficulties between Talland and Polperro. Quickly launching the charity’s Atlantic 85 Sheila and Dennis Tongue II our crew arrived on scene within 10 minutes. After talking to the owners of two blue kayaks on talland beach who confirmed they had not been out at sea our crew searched the coastline between Talland and Polperro. After searching for 40 minutes and finding nothing untoward they were stood down by Falmouth Coastguard control centre and returned t the lifeboat station. The call was treated as a false alarm with good intent.

The second shout came at 4.54 pm on Sunday 18 August 2019, when volunteer wardens on Looe Island observed a person on an inflatable kayak in difficulties after losing their paddle in strong WNW winds. Launching the D Class inshore lifeboat Ollie Naismith within four minutes the crew were quickly on scene to transfer the kayaker onto the lifeboat. Recovering the inflatable kayak and paddle they took the casualty back to the lifeboat station where appropriate safety advice was offered.

Looe RNLI volunteer crew always advise users of watercraft such as canoes or kayaks to wear suitable lifejackets and carry an appropriate means of calling for help, kept close at hand in easy reach. They go on to suggest that the paddle is attached to the kayak with a tether to prevent it drifting away.

END

Notes to editors

No photos from this shout are available

RNLI Kayaking and canoeing safety advice can be found on this link

https://rnli.org/safety/choose-your-activity/kayaking-and-canoeing

Photos:

· Stock image - Looe RNLI D Class Ollie Naismith leaving Looe on service
Photo credit RNLI / Ian Foster

· Stock image - Looe RNLI Atlantic 85 Sheila and Dennis Tongue II leaving Looe on service
Photo credit RNLI / Ian 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

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