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First shout for Looe RNLI’s new D Class Ollie Naismith II

Lifeboats News Release

The first service call for Looe RNLI’s new D Class inshore lifeboat Ollie Naismith II was to assist two persons and their dog who were cut off by the tide at Millendreath

Looe RNLI D Class Ollie Naismith II returning to Looe with the casualties

RNLI/Ian Foster

Looe RNLI D Class Ollie Naismith II returning to Looe with the casualties

Earlier this afternoon, Thursday 20 April 2023, two persons and a dog were walking along Millendreath beach, close to Black Rock, when they became aware that they were being cut off by the tide. After realising there was no safe exit over the cliffs and attempting to wade through the waves carrying their dog would have been dangerous, they called the coastguard on 999 to ask for help. At 4.26 pm Looe RNLI volunteer crew pagers sounded for the first time in 2023. Shortly afterwards our launch tractor driver John Goodsman was launching the charity’s new D Class inshore lifeboat D-872 Ollie Naismith II on her first service call. Assisting John were shore crew Eric Candy, Simon Rawe, Dave Robinson and Rich Jones. In strong easterly winds the D Class helmed by Dave Jackman with crew members, father and daughter, Clive and Amber Palfrey, headed across Looe bay towards Millendreath.

Arriving on scene our volunteer crew quickly spotted the casualties and reached the beach after negotiating large waves breaking close to shore. They assessed the casualties who were found to be uninjured. Taking the casualties and dog onto the lifeboat, our helm considered a beach landing at Millendreath would not be easy with the waves breaking close to shore and decided to take them back to Looe where they could disembark safely on the landing pontoon. They were taken to the Lifeboat Station to dry off and wait to be picked up by their family.

Today’s shout was a series of firsts.

· First shout in 2023 for Looe RNLI volunteer crews

· First shout for the charity’s new D Class inshore lifeboat D-872 Ollie Naismith II

· First shout for our volunteer tractor driver John Goodsman

Our volunteer crew commented that even though the casualties were aware of the time of high tide it is always worth keeping an eye on your surroundings as the incoming tide can suddenly cut off any safe exit from the beach. The causalities did the right thing by calling 999 for assistance and not trying to climb the cliff or wade through the surf.

END

Notes to editors

Photos:

· Looe RNLI D Class Ollie Naismith II returning to Looe with the casualties
Photo credit RNLI / Ian Foster

· Recovering Looe RNLI D Class Ollie Naismith II
Photo credit RNLI / Ian Foster

· Clive Palfrey, Amber Palfrey, Dave Jackman and John Goodsman with Looe RNLI D Class Ollie Naismith II after her first 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 II

· 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
Recovering Looe RNLI D Class Ollie Naismith II

RNLI/Ian Foster

Recovering Looe RNLI D Class Ollie Naismith II
Clive Palfrey, Amber Palfrey, Dave Jackman and John Goodsman with Looe RNLI D Class Ollie Naismith II after her first shout

RNLI/Ian Foster

Clive Palfrey, Amber Palfrey, Dave Jackman and John Goodsman with Looe RNLI D Class Ollie Naismith II after her first shout

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, Twitter 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.

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