Looe RNLI volunteers rescue two kayakers off Looe Island

Looe RNLI volunteer crew pagers sounded for the first time in 2021 at 6.12 pm yesterday evening, Monday 8 February 2021, following reports of two kayakers in difficulties between Looe Island and Hannafore. With one kayaker reported to be on the island beach, cold and wet, and the first informant saying they had lost sight of the other kayaker, our Lifeboat Operations Manager, Dave Haines decided to launch both inshore lifeboats. Within twelve minutes head launcher Brain Bowdler, tractor drivers David Mitchell and Del Palfrey, together with shore crew Richard Jones and Eric Candy were launching the charity’s Atlantic 85 Sheila and Dennis Tongue II and D Class Ollie Naismith. It was a bitterly cold, dark evening with strong easterly force 5 - 6 winds as the Atlantic 85 helmed by Clive Palfrey left the river and headed towards Looe island. On transit to the island, crew members Tom Peat, Victoria Thomas and Goron Jones were keeping a lookout for the second kayaker. Arriving on scene at the island beach Tom Peat went ashore to check on the first casualty, who was with the island’s warden, whilst the Atlantic continued with the search for the second kayaker. Meanwhile, the crew on the D Class, Toby Bray, Dan Margetts and Matt Jaycock had been tasked to conduct a shoreline search along Hannafore beach. Shortly after, Looe coastguard rescue team reported they had found the second kayaker on shore at Hannafore. The D Class headed to the island beach to bring the other kayaker back to Hannafore. With both casualties in the care of the Looe Coastguard team, the lifeboats returned to station where they were washed down, refuelled, and made ready for service by 7.30 pm.

It transpires that one of the kayakers lost their paddle and capsized, with the kayak taking in water they were unable to get back into the craft. The other kayaker towed the capsized kayak towards the island, when they reached rocks off the beach, the second kayaker then headed for Hannafore.

After the shout, several of our volunteer boat crew commented that the kayakers were extremely lucky to have been spotted in the darkness. With the rough sea conditions, strong easterly winds and outgoing tidal currents, they could have easily been blown out to sea. When you end up in cold water unexpectantly things can go very wrong, very quickly, with tragic consequences.

Our volunteer crew remain on call, ready to help others during this lockdown. However, the RNLI urges everyone to think carefully about using the sea for exercise or recreation in case you get into difficulty. When our volunteer crews are called to an incident, it puts additional pressure on them and other frontline emergency services, as well as potentially exposing them to COVID-19.

· Be aware of the weather and sea conditions and your own capabilities and only enter the water if it is safe to do so

· Take a method of calling for help, preferably a VHF radio or full-charged phone in a waterproof pouch

· Check the tide times

· If going afloat, always wear a lifejacket or other personal flotation device

· In an emergency call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard

END

Notes to editors

Photos:

· Stock image - Looe RNLI Atlantic 85 Sheila and Dennis Tongue II and D Class Ollie Naismith night time recovery
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.

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.