Three shouts in one day for Looe RNLI volunteers

The first page at 11.30 am requested our volunteer crew to assemble at the lifeboat station to assist with a shore-based incident.

Early in the afternoon crew pagers sounded again after Falmouth Coastguard Operations Centre received reports of two persons on inflatable dinghies in difficulties off midmain, Hannafore. Launching the charity’s D Class inshore lifeboat Ollie Naismith at 2.15 pm our crew quickly arrived on scene to find the occupants fishing. With nobody in difficulties our lifeboat was stood down and the call treated as a false alarm with good intent. Returning to the lifeboat station our crew were in the process of washing down and refuelling the lifeboat when another call came through from Falmouth Coastguard Operations Centre. Our crew were tasked to launch to assist a paddleboarder who was reported to have fallen from their board and unable to get back on. Arriving on scene by second beach / Plaidy, our crew found the paddleboarder being assisted ashore.

Even though the weather was sunny with little swell out at sea yesterday, there was a strong offshore wind and the sea temperature is still low enough to cause cold water shock, if you enter the water unexpectantly. Before returning to station our volunteer crew decided to do a patrol of the coastline between Millendreath and Portnadler, stopping to check on another paddleboarder who had fallen off their board and talking to several water users about the potential dangers from the offshore wind, not wearing any form of buoyancy aids and falling into cold water.

If you enter the water unexpectantly remember the RNLI “Float To Live” safety advice

· If you fall into water, fight your instinct to thrash around

· Lean back, extend your arms and legs

· If you need to, gently move them around to help you float

· Float until you can control your breathing

· Only then, call for help or swim to safety

END

Notes to editors

Photos:

· Looe RNLI D Class Ollie Naismith returning to Looe Lifeboat Station after the third shout
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 have recently launched the Looe Lifeboat Appeal – Ollie Naismith II to raise £78,000 for a replacement D Class inshore lifeboat Ollie Naismith II www.justgiving.com/fundraising/looe-lifeboat-appeal

· RNLI safety advice can be found at https://rnli.org/safety/choose-your-activity

· 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 Emma Haines, RNLI Regional Media Officer, on 07786 668847 or [email protected]

Alternatively you can contact the RNLI Duty Press Officer on 01202 336789.

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.