St Agnes RNLI Lifeboat rescues stand-up paddle boarders.
The volunteer lifeboat crew launched on Sunday (26 Sept) evening to search for two people spotted waving in distress off Cligga Head near Perranporth.
Having set off in favourable conditions the two paddle boarders found themselves struggling against strengthening winds. Realising they were not making headway they attempted to call 999 but were unable to get a mobile phone signal. The casualties were spotted by walkers on the coast path who called 999 and requested the Coastguard.
St Agnes’ crew was paged with an immediate launch instruction at 4.49pm and the D-Class inshore lifeboat was launched six minutes later. Arriving on scene within 10 minutes the crew spoke to the casualties and decided to bring them aboard along with their boards. With winds reaching 20 knots the lifeboat made a bumpy return journey to Trevaunance Cove where the man and woman were monitored by casualty care trained crew and given hot drinks before returning to their vehicle.
One casualty remarked, “We both felt blessed and humbled by your service, thank you.”
Volunteer helm, Tom Forehead, commented, “The paddle boarders were well equipped and wearing appropriate gear. They had a means of communicating with shore which unfortunately did not work because of their location. I would urge people to check the weather forecast as conditions do change rapidly at sea, especially at this time of year.”
After a quick relaunch to check on a group of nearby swimmers, the lifeboat was recovered, refuelled and back on service by 6pm.
For more information on paddle boarding safely, you can visit the RNLI website https://rnli.org/safety/choose-your-activity/stand-up-paddle-boarding
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For more information please telephone Tom Knight, RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07538 418391 or [email protected] or contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.
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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 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.
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.