Three people cut off by the tide rescued by Looe RNLI lifeboat crew

Yesterday evening, Saturday 20 June, our volunteer RNLI crew were alerted by pager to reports of three persons cut off by the tide at Talland Bay. At 6.50 pm the charity’s D Class inshore lifeboat Ollie Naismith was launched by Tractor driver Chris Lewis and shore crew Brian Bowdler. In a moderate southerly breeze, helm Dan Margetts, with crew Goron Jones and Jack Spree headed towards Talland in choppy seas. Arriving on scene our crew spotted the casualties on rocky outcrops to the west of Talland beach. With the incoming tide the group had been split on two rocks 100 yards apart. Dan timed his approach through the swell, putting the bow of the D Class into the rocks, allowing Goron and Jack to help the first casualty into the lifeboat, Dan, Goron and Jack then had to repeat the same manoeuvre to pick up the other two from the second rock. Our crew took the three back to Talland beach where Looe coastguard team were waiting.

Commenting on the rescue, volunteer helm Dan Margetts said ‘it was a tricky approach through the swell and rocky outcrops. The D Class is a very capable lifeboat and comes into her own for rescues in the surf and shallow water amongst rocks and confined locations’. Dan advises everyone who goes to the coast to check the tide times and keep aware of your situation.

END

Notes to editors

· It continues to be a busy period for our volunteer crews, between 26 May 2020 and 20 June 2020 our volunteer crews have responded to twelve shouts, resulting in thirteen launches of the charity’s inshore lifeboats.

Photos:

· Looe RNLI D Class Ollie Naismith heading towards Talland
Photo credit RNLI / Ian Foster

· Looe RNLI D Class Ollie Naismith passing Looe Island
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 Naismit

· 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.