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Fowey RNLI lifeboats rescue paddleboarders on rocks

Lifeboats News Release

On April 10 Fowey volunteer lifeboat crew launched their inshore D class lifeboat at 11.42am to rescue a father and his 13 year old daughter who had become stranded on rocks north of Pentewan beach.

The inshore lifeboat was tasked to launch by the coastguard following reports of 2 people in the water. In an offshore wind a 13 year old girl on a paddleboard had been blown out to sea towards the rocks and her father had gone into the water to assist her. The inshore lifeboat volunteers, helm James Dowrick and crew Oli Luck and Ross Jezard, located the casualties, aided by information from a coastguard aircraft. Fowey’s all-weather lifeboat was also launched on service to provide additional support.

Helm James put crew member Ross onto the rocks, and he went to ensure that the father and daughter were not injured. The couple were landed safely into the lifeboat and the crew took them back to Pentewan sands were they were handed over to Mevagissey coastguard. The lifeboat crew then returned to the rocks to retrieve the paddleboard.

With bad weather forecast for the next couple of days, Fowey RNLI lifeboat station has urged people to respect the water. Fowey Lifeboat Operations Manager, Chris Ogg said: ‘We would advise people to be very cautious near the water, especially in extreme weather. Please observe from a distance in bad weather and don’t get caught out by the changing sea conditions. Even in good weather, paddleboarding in offshore winds should be avoided, as they will tire you quickly when trying to return to shore. As with any water based activity, always check the weather forecast and tide times before going out and always carry a means of calling for help. If you get into trouble or see someone else in trouble, call 999 and ask for the coastguard’.

Fowey RNLI

Helm James Dowrick and crew Ross Jezard

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.

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