Looe RNLI volunteers launch to the assistance of a kite surfer in difficulties

At 6.30 pm yesterday evening, Monday 13 May 2019, Falmouth Coastguards requested the launch of the charity’s Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat to investigate a report of a kitesurfer in difficulties off Seaton beach. Arriving quickly on scene, our volunteer crew found a kite surfer entangled in his lines being assisted by an instructor on a rescue board. Confirming both were not in trouble, our crew stood by as they got to the shore line and then returned to station. Volunteer helm Dave Jackman commented that from the shore it may have looked like the kite surfer was in difficulties and someone on a board was going to his aid. The first informant did the right thing in contacting the coastguards, as the lifeboat crews would prefer to launch and find everything is OK rather than learn later that someone was in difficulty and needed assistance.

Weather blue skies, south easterly force 5 wind, moderate seas

Crew Toby Bray, Brian Bowdler, Dave Jackman and Tom Peat

Tractor drivers and shore crew Chris Lewis, Richard Rix, Nick Pope, Paul Barley, John Pope, Nat Rothwell, Dale Staff and Tom Langan

The inshore lifeboat returned to the lifeboat station and prepared for service by 7.45 pm.

END

Notes to editors

Photos:

· Recovery of Looe RNLI Atlantic 85 Sheila and Dennis Tongue II
Photo credit RNLI / Ian Foster

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

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.