Sennen Cove RNLI lifeboat rescues windsurfer

The windsurfer had managed to communicate a Mayday distress signal via the NCI Coastwatch Team at Gwennap Head. He was stranded, because there was no wind and he was unable to make any headway.

The Sennen Cove Tamar class lifeboat City of London III launched at about 3.25 pm, making all speed to Gwennap Head. The lifeboat crew eventually located the casualty at 3.45 pm. They took the windsurfer and his equipment on board, and returned with him to the Lifeboat Station. He was well equipped for his journey, having a hand- held VHS which led to a speedy recovery.

The windsurfer had set out originally from Portsmouth in an attempt to sail around the coast in stages, and he had continued from Penzance that day. His kit was left at the station to be collected at a later date, and one of the crew took him back to Penzance.

The lifeboat was recovered up the slipway at 4.10 pm.

Ends.

Notes to editors

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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 over 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 142,200 lives.

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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