Looe RNLI volunteers rescue four people cut off by the tide at Portwrinkle

Yesterday evening, Saturday 25 July 2020, Looe RNLI volunteer crew pagers sounded at 7.26 pm following a report of four persons cut off by the tide between Downderry and Portwrinkle. Ten minutes later the charity’s D Class Ollie Naismith was launched and headed out of the river towards Portwrinkle. Shortly afterwards head launcher Paul Barley, tractor driver Eric Candy with shore crew Del Palfrey and John Crabb launched the Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat Sheila and Dennis Tongue II. Both lifeboats made best speed across Looe bay towards Portwrinkle. Arriving on scene the group were spotted in a cove to the west of Portwrinkle.

Volunteer helm Dan Margetts, on the D Class inshore lifeboat, had to time his approach onto the beach as there was a moderate shore dump. After confirming no injuries, crew Dale Staff and Jack Spree helped two of them into the D Class and transferred them to the Atlantic 85 which was helmed by Clive Palfrey, with crew Brian Bowdler and Tom Peat. Dan then took the D Class back through the shore dump to pick up the remaining two casualties. Both inshore lifeboats then headed for Portwrinkle harbour where the group were reunited with the rest of their family.

END

Notes to editors

Photos:

· Looe RNLI Atlantic 85 Sheila and Dennis Tongue II at Looe Lifeboat Station after returning from Portwrinkle
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 Marianne Quinn, 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.

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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

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