
Looe RNLI volunteers rescue two kayakers off Looe Island
Two kayakers attempting to reach Looe Island in rough sea conditions were rescued from two different locations and handed into the care of Looe Coastguard rescue team on Hannafore beach
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]
Alternatively you can contact the RNLI Duty Press Officer on 01202 336789Key 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.