Looe RNLI volunteer crew launch to assist a kayaker in difficulties off Seaton

The pagers of Looe RNLI volunteers sounded for the first time this year at 11.56 am, Thursday 6 Feburary 2020, following a 999 call to Falmouth Coastguard operations centre reporting a kayaker in difficulties off Seaton. Our volunteer crew quickly launched the Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat Sheila and Dennis Tongue II with Clive Palfrey at the helm and crew, Brian Bowdler, Toby Bray and Vicky Thomas. In strong SE winds and a heavy swell the Atlantic 85 passed the Banjo Pier and our crew made their way eastwards towards Seaton. As our crew approached the location they spotted the kayaker on the beach between Seaton and Downderry. One of the crew went ashore to speak to the kayaker and confirm there were no injuries. The kayaker had been heading towards Seaton from Downderry and as the wind and swell increased fell from the craft a couple of times before deciding to make their way on to the beach.

Crew Brian Bowdler said ‘the first informant did the right thing in dialing 999 to report the incident to the coastguard’, and went on to say that the kayaker was well prepared and wearing a lifejacket.

This was the first shout for newly qualified tractor driver Eric Candy who under the watchful eye of head launcher Paul Barley, drove the Talus tractor to launch and recover the Atlantic 85. After the shout Eric said ‘he was proud to have made the first shout of 2020 and prove to himself and the team the hard work of training and assessments had been worthwhile’.

END

Notes to editors

Photos:

· Looe RNLI Atlantic 85 Sheila and Dennis Tongue II leaving Looe and heading towards Seaton
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

· Kayaking is one of the most popular watersports in the UK
RNLI safety advice for kayakers can be found on the RNLI website
https://rnli.org/safety/choose-your-activity/kayaking-and-canoeing

· 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.