St.Agnes Lifeboat searches for surfer swept out in rip current
The St.Agnes Lifeboat was requested to launch following a report that a surfer was seen to be washed out to sea in a strong rip current in windy, turbulent seas.
The Lifeboat was paged at 1845 hours on 11 June 2019 to search for a surfer who was seen being swept out to sea in the Lushingtons area of Porthtowan.
The Lifeboat proceeded through the choppy and windy seas with Helm, Gavin Forehead and Crew, Paul Kimberley and Ed Schwarz, towards the general area of Porthtowan. HM Coastguard Search and Rescue Team from Portreath also proceeded to the area, along with the HM Coastguard Helicopter.
On arrival, Lifeboat and Helicopter conducted an extensive search of the sea and coast between Porthtowan and West of Lushingtons Cove area, at sea, whilst HM Coastguard Search and Rescue Team from Portreath searched from the clifftop.
After approximately an hour, a report came in to the MRCC Falmouth that the surfer had safely made his way back to shore and was not in need of any assistance or medical care.
The Lifeboat took a steady passage back towards Trevaunance Cove, watched over by HM Coastguard Search and Rescue Team from Portreath and the Watchkeepers at the National Coastwatch Institution on St.Agnes Head, due to the windy and choppy sea contitions.
The lifeboat was rehoused at 2045 hours.
If you are considering surfing at the coast, you can find safety advice from the RNLI here.
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For more information please telephone Paul Kimberley, RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07867160594 or email [email protected]. You can contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.
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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 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.