Looe RNLI volunteers assist a broken down speedboat

Yesterday evening, just before 9 pm, Falmouth Coastguard control centre received a 999 call from three persons on board a 16’ speedboat which was having engine problems. Within five minutes our RNLI volunteer crew had launched the charity’s Atlantic 85 Sheila and Dennis Tongue II and headed to the reported position, one mile south of Millendreath. In the fading light it was difficult for our crew to see the speedboat which did not have navigation lights. The people on board used the torch on their mobile phone to guide the crew to their location. Establishing a tow, the speedboat was taken back to Looe river where it was recovered at the lifeboat slipway, onto a trailer.

The Atlantic 85 was recovered by the shore crew, washed down and refuelled ready for service by 9.25 pm

Looe RNLI volunteer helm Matt Jaycock was pleased to see the people on the speedboat were wearing buoyancy aids, he recommends a few simple safety checks that should be carried out before taking a boat out to sea, including checking your engine, ensuring you have enough fuel for the planned trip, carry reserve fuel, carry a suitable means of calling for help and telling someone where you are going and when you expect to be back.

END

Notes to editors

RNLI Sailing and Motorboating safety advice can be found on this link

https://rnli.org/safety/choose-your-activity/yacht-sailing-and-motorboating

Photos:

· Looe RNLI Atlantic 85 Sheila and Dennis Tongue II being recovered yesterday evening
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]

Alternatively you can contact the RNLI Duty Press Officer on 01202 336789

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.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, 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.