The Lizard RNLI exercise launch diverted to assist people at Lizard Point
The Lizard RNLI exercise launch diverted to assist people at Lizard Point
Lifeboats News Release
Having launched on exercise shortly before 6.30pm – Tuesday 3rd May, RNLB Rose was requested at 6.33pm to attend Pig Island at Polpeor, Lizard Point to reports of up to four people cut off by the rising tide.
The lifeboat arrived on scene at 6.35pm where four casualties were seen to be in two different locations.
The smaller Y boat was launched at 6.40pm and went first to two of the casualties on the eastern side that were on semi-submerged rocks where they were in immediate danger of entering the water completely. The water was already just below knee height and still rising. Due to the tricky environment of shallow water, reef, exposed/submerged rocks and with the increasing swell and confused sea state, the Y boat crew were able to successfully rescue the first two casualties from the rock and they were safely transferred to the lifeboat.
The Y boat then assessed the best option to attempt to extract the two remaining casualties from a set of higher rocks nearby with discussions from the attending Mullion Coastguard Rescue Team, looking possibly at the option of the Coastguard Helicopter being required. With the increasing confused sea state and breaking swells in around the submerged rocks the Y boat positioned itself to the eastern side again but closer into the cliff face and further into the challenging conditions. Thankfully a slight lull in the water enabled a committed approach to grab both persons from the lower rocks and making a quick exit from the danger area before the next breaking swells arrived.
Both casualties were then transferred to the waiting lifeboat which was standing by in safer water. With all 4 casualties now safely on board RNLB Rose returned to the lifeboat station at Kilcobben Cove at 7.21pm where the casualties were taken care of by the shore crew and Coastguards. All four casualties were wet and shaken but otherwise unhurt from their ordeal. Both Y boat crew were exceptional in their actions and skill in handling the boat and successfully extracting the four casualties from the partially submerged rocks. Any further delays, at least two of the casualties would have completely entered the water, which with the swell and submerged rocks could have caused serious injury or worse.
Under the command of Coxswain Dan Atkinson, RNLB Rose and her crew went onto continue with their scheduled training exercise returning to the boathouse at 8.20pm. The lifeboat was re-housed, refuelled and made ready for service by 8.30pm.
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.
