Looe RNLI volunteers assist a six metre rib on rocks at Polhawn Cove

Pagers sounded at 12.22 pm this afternoon, Saturday 27 February 2021, requesting the immediate launch of the charity’s Atlantic 85. On a low spring tide, our RNLI volunteer shore crew, head launcher Nick Pope with Eric Candy, Paul Barley and Matt Jaycock, escorted tractor driver Dave Mitchell, who had to drive the tractor and lifeboat along the river bed and past the Banjo Pier to launch the Atlantic 85. On launching, the Atlantic 85 Sheila and Dennis Tongue II helmed by Clive Palfrey, with crew Tom Peat, Jack Spree and Goron Jones headed towards Polhawn Cove to investigate reports of three persons onboard a six metre rib which had dragged its anchor and was on rocks. Arriving at the cove, our crew found one person on board the rib and two more on the beach. Crew member Tom Peat went ashore to assess the two casualties. Meanwhile our crew assessed the puncture damage to the rib’s sponson. With the two persons on the beach in the care of Looe and Tamar coastguard rescue teams, Tom re-joined the Atlantic 85. Crew member Goron Jones went on board the rib assisting with the foot pump to control water ingress, whilst our Atlantic 85 escorted the rib safely back to a mooring at the Royal William Yard, Plymouth.

The Atlantic 85 returned to station to be washed down and refuelled ready for her next service at 3.30 pm.

END

Notes to editors

Photos:

· Low tide launch of the Looe RNLI Atlantic 85 Sheila and Dennis Tongue II
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

· Looe RNLI Facebook page www.facebook.com/LooeRNLI

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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 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 142,700 lives.

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