Fowey RNLI lifeboat volunteers rescue two young men in broken down rib
On September 12 at 7.55pm, Fowey lifeboat station received a phone call from two people stranded on a broken down rib approximately 1 mile outside Fowey.
The young men were advised that they must call 999 and alert the coastguard who then tasked the lifeboat to attend. Both Fowey lifeboats were already out on their regular Tuesday evening training session, so the all-weather lifeboat proceeded to the location of the 4.5m broken down rib. The all-weather crew looked at why the rib had broken down and helped them to re-start the engine, but the decision was made to escort the rib back to its mooring as they had no lights, no VHF communications and no lifejackets, and by this time it was now dark.
The crews decided that it would be more suitable for the D class to tow the boat back in as it was a bit small for the all-weather boat to tow and the casualty vessel was only half a mile from Fowey harbour entrance.
The lifeboat crew escorted the rib safely to a mooring in Polruan and then gave safety advice. As it was a training night, the Launch Authority, Kathy Ogg was there to take the call and pass details onto the coastguard. However, as with any emergency incident at sea, the young men were informed that they should always call 999 and ask for the coastguard so that the relevant emergency services can be coordinated. They were also advised that it is important to keep engines well-maintained and regularly checked and to have working lights on a boat as the evenings get darker. It is also important to wear a personal floatation device such as a buoyancy aid or lifejacket and to carry a means of calling the coastguard for help.
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 142,700 lives.
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