
Busy day for Fowey RNLI volunteers as station celebrates RNLI 200th anniversary
Fowey RNLI volunteers were paged four times on Thursday (1 August), as the station’s 200th anniversary programme of events gets underway.
The D-class lifeboat was launched at 1:50am to an unusual shout, following reports of approximately 20 cows in the water near Chapel Point close to Mevagissey.
Fowey RNLI’s volunteer lifeboat crew arrived on scene to find a herd of cattle in the water and six more on the rock ledge nearby, with two farmers in the water supporting the cattle.
Fowey RNLI’s lifeboat crew kept their distance and monitored the situation as the farmers in the water guided the cattle back to shore, one by one.
The lifeboat crew supported the farmers with torch light and made sure they were ok before returning to the station.
The lifeboat was refueled and ready for service at 4:15am.
Fowey RNLI volunteer helm James Dowrick said:
“We arrived on scene to see cattle in the water and on the rocks. However, it was clear that the farmers had the situation under control and we supported with torch light and monitored those in the water before returning back to the station, once we were comfortable everyone was safe.”
Then at around midday, the D class lifeboat was launched again to assist a mother and daughter who’d got into difficulty whilst paddleboarding off Par Beach.
Fowey RNLI’s volunteer lifeboat crew arrived on scene to discover both the mother and daughter were stranded on the rocks to the east side of the beach.
The crew were able to successfully rescue the casualties and return them to the shore.
There was also a third page, but this launch was cancelled.
However, the lifeboat was called out again, this time at 5:17pm, after a small boat had drifted approximately 2.5 miles out to sea.
Fowey RNLI launched the D-Class lifeboat and was able to bring the boat safely back to the harbour.
The crew were able to arrive back in time to join the rest of Fowey's volunteers for a photo on the pontoon to join in on the RNLI's one moment one crew celebrations which marks all the contributions made by staff, lifeboat crews and volunteers since 1824.
The busy day came as Fowey RNLI opened its new exhibition in the Town Hall, celebrating 165 years of Fowey lifeboat, and the RNLI’s 200th anniversary.
The exhibition is open until Sunday and features photographs of the station’s fascinating past, many of which have not been seen by the public before, from its beginnings at Polkerris in 1859, with wooden rowing lifeboats, right through to the modern day era. People will be able to find out about the dramatic rescues of bygone years and how different life was for the lifeboat crew of the past. Featuring interviews with current and past crew and rescue footage, a lifesize Arancia lifeboat, plus a 4ft working replica model of Fowey’s all-weather lifeboat and the winner of the children's lifeboat art competition.
On Friday 2 August, Joey the Lips will be playing live on Fowey Town Quay with their 10-Piece Hi-energy Soul, Funk, Blues and Motown sound, from 7.45pm. The band are playing at the Fowey Lifeboat Week main event which takes place on Fowey Town Quay. Starting at 5pm the Fowey lifeboat will be moored on the Town Quay and will be open to the public for lifeboat tours followed by a lifeboat dedication ceremony at 6.50pm. The evening will continue with music, food and refreshments on the quay. The event finalè will be a spectacular firework display at 9.45pm, with fireworks being set off from a barge in Fowey Harbour.
On Saturday 3 August, it is lifeboat day at Fowey lifeboat station. Join the crew and volunteers for tours of the lifeboat from 11am, and visit the Water Safety team and the Coastguard. There will be a fender race in the harbour at 2pm (like duck racing, but with fenders!). Fenders will be available for people to decorate at the station, or you can bring your own. There will be a prize for the best decorated fender, and a prize of a power boat taster session for the under 16 and adult winners of the fender race. At 1pm there will be a demonstration in the harbour of a working model of Fowey’s all-weather lifeboat and the Grand Draw raffle will be at 3pm.
The week ends on Sunday 4 August, with the final day of the Fowey lifeboat 165 year exhibition, which will close at 3pm.
Notes to editors
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Image is of Fowey RNLI's Trent Class lifeboat
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Fowey lifeboat station was founded in 1859
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Today they house an all-weather Trent Class lifeboat and a D-Class inshore lifeboat
RNLI media contacts
For more information please contact Archie Connolly, Media Engagement – Placement-South West on 07977 468283 or [email protected],uk or Emma Haines, Regional Communications Manager, on 07786 668847 or [email protected] or contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.
RNLI online
For more information, please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the RNLI News Centre.
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 over 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and, in a normal year, 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.
RNLI at 200
On 4 March 2024, the RNLI celebrates 200 years of saving lives at sea – thanks to volunteers giving their time to save others, all funded by voluntary public donations. Throughout its 200th anniversary year, the charity is running events and activities to commemorate its history, celebrate the lifesaving service it provides today, and inspire generations of future lifesavers and supporters. For more information visit RNLI.org/200.
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.