Looe RNLI volunteers launch to the aid of a broken down dinghy

Yesterday afternoon, Friday 26 July 2019, a dinghy with two persons on board put out a pan pan call after they suffered engine failure, and found themselves drifting in wsw force 4 winds and a heavy swell, 200 meters off Millendreath beach. Within 6 minutes of the page at 2.26 pm, Looe RNLI volunteers launched the charity’s Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat Sheila and Dennis Tongue II and headed over to Millendreath.

The two casualties on the dinghy were transferred onto the Atlantic 85 for safety, and with the dinghy in tow they were taken back to Looe.

Atlantic 85 crew : Toby Bray (helm ) Brian Bowdler, Alastair Pearn and Jack Spree

Shore crew : Graham Rich (tractor) Del Palfrey, Paul Barley, Goron Jones, Matt Jaycock, Aaron Rix and Nick Pope

Volunteer helm Toby Bray commented that the two casualties were wearing lifejackets, carried correct safety equipment and did the right thing in calling the coastguards for help over VHF radio. He goes on to say that ‘mechanical failure is the single biggest cause of RNLI rescue call outs to boats, accounting for nearly 20% of all our lifeboat launches. Knowing your boat, carrying spares and being able to fit them could make the difference between having to call for help and being able to help yourself.’

END

Notes to editors

No photos from this shout are available

Photos:

· Stock image - Looe RNLI Atlantic 85 Sheila and Dennis Tongue II leaving Looe
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.

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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.