Donate now

St Ives All Weather Lifeboat launches to reports of a person in the water.

Lifeboats News Release

It was 3.40pm on Friday 23rd August when Rob Cocking, Coxswain launched the all weather lifeboat with Robin Langford, Mechanic and volunteer crew Jamie Oatham, Paul Le Bas, Martin Ashmore, Sue Antcliff and Joel Ninnes.

RNLI/Niki Brooks

All Weather Lifeboat

Reports had come in from Falmouth Coastguard that a person was struggling in the water at Dead Mans Cove. The crew very quickly made their way to the location that had been provided to the coastguard, and search and rescue helicopter 924 arrived almost in tandem. On arrival the crew begun an in-depth search from the cliff out to sea.

Shortly after the helicopter located the casualty and the lifeboat made their way immediately to the scene.

A crew member was already in a dry suit and immediately entered the water. The Coxswain repositioned the all weather lifeboat, and the casualty was brought onboard. Three crew members immediately began casualty care working alongside a paramedic from the helicopter.

Sadly, despite best efforts, the rescue attempt was unsuccessful. Rob Cocking, Coxswain said ‘Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the casualty at this time.'

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.

Categories