Looe RNLI volunteer crew assists a boat with engine problems

Yesterday evening, Thursday 4 June 2020, Falmouth coastguard operations centre received a call from two persons on board a 21’ searay boat drifting 200m east off Looe island after encountering engine problems. Paged at 6.08 pm, our RNLI volunteer crew mustered outside the lifeboat station where the crew and a minimal number of shore crew were selected. Within 20 minutes of the initial page, the charity’s Atlantic 85 Sheila and Dennis Tongue II arrived on scene with Brian Bowdler at the helm and crew Victoria Thomas, Tom Peat and Jack Spree. The Atlantic 85 was launched by tractor driver Eric Candy and shore crew Mat Jaycock guided by head launcher Nick Pope. To establish a tow, the persons on the searay recovered their own anchor and then moved to the aft of the vessel while our RNLI crew attached a tow rope from aboard the lifeboat. The local searay boat was brought to Looe harbour and moored alongside the cement piles where they managed to restart the engine. The searay then made its own way up river to her mooring, escorted by our crew on the Atlantic 85 just in case the engine failed again. The Atlantic 85 returned to station where she was washed down and refuelled, ready for service.

Falmouth Coastguard reported the initial call for assistance came from a mobile phone and they have asked us to remind all boat users that a VHF radio should be the first choice of communication.

END

Notes to editors

• RNLI safety advice for yachting and motorboating can be found at https://rnli.org/safety/choose-your-activity/yacht-sailing-and-motorboating

Photos:

· Looe RNLI Atlantic 85 Sheila and Dennis Tongue II returning to port
Photo credit RNLI / Dan Margetts

· Looe RNLI Atlantic 85 Sheila and Dennis Tongue II heading to East Looe quay
Photo credit RNLI / Eric Candy

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.

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.