Looe RNLI volunteer crews launch to assist injured paddleboarder

Earlier this morning, Friday 12 August 2022, a group of three paddleboarders were jumping from the Longstone, to the east of Downderry, when one of the group sustained a shoulder injury. With no method of calling for help, one of the group paddled out to a local fishing boat close by to ask for help. The boat’s skipper contacted Falmouth coastguards and Dave Haines, our Lifeboat Operations Manager, who paged our RNLI volunteer crew, at 7.54 am, to launch the charity’s Atlantic 85. Within seven minutes the Atlantic 85 Sheila and Dennis Tongue II was heading across Looe bay to locate the paddleboarders in a small cove to the west of the Longstone. With one of the group having a suspected dislocated shoulder, all three were taken onboard the Atlantic and returned to their vehicle, parked at Seaton beach, to make their own way to hospital.

After washing down and refuelling the Atlantic 85 our volunteer crew commented that everyone who ventures out onto the water should always carry a suitable method of calling for assistance, keeping it close at hand at all times. They advise against jumping into the water, especially in remote areas where it takes time for a lifeboat crew or coastguard rescue team to reach the location. There is always a risk of injury and jumping into the unknown has additional risks as there may be hidden dangers below the surface.

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Notes to editors

Photos:

· Stock image – Looe RNLI Atlantic 85 Sheila and Dennis Tongue II returning to station
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 Emily Hazard, RNLI Regional Media Officer, on 07866 064437 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.

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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.