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Port Isaac RNLI Responds to Two Emergency Shouts in 48 Hours

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The volunteer crew of the Port Isaac RNLI lifeboat, The Pride of Port Isaac, responded to two emergency calls within 48 hours, with both incidents highlighted the importance of coastal safety.

RNLI

Stock image of Port Isaac D-Class Lifeboat
On Saturday, 3rd August at 5.34pm, The Pride of Port Isaac was launched following a report from Falmouth Coastguard of three individuals cut off by the tide near the breakwater area of Boscastle Harbour. Upon arrival, the crew found a female and two young children stranded on rocks with the tide rising. The lifeboat crew executed three rock landings to safely rescue the individuals. They were transported to the slipway in the harbour, where they were met by Boscastle Coastguard.

Senior Helm Damien Bolton says, “It’s easier than you think to get into trouble in the water, 138 people die by accident at our coast each year. The RNLI urges all coastal visitors to be aware of tide times and to carry a means of communication to ensure they can call for help if needed.”

The second call came on Monday, 5th August at 12.23pm, when the lifeboat was tasked with investigating a report of an object in the water near Tregardock Beach. The crew conducted a shoreline search but faced challenges due to the surf conditions, making it difficult to approach the object. Polzeath Coastguard teams, who were also present, managed to identify the object as discarded fishing gear. The crew stood by to assist as necessary, ensuring the safety of the coastguard teams. Once the situation was assessed and found to be non-threatening, the lifeboat returned to station.

Lifeboat Helm Ben Spicer commented on the find, “Discarded fishing gear poses significant hazards, not only to vessels by potentially fouling propellers but also to marine wildlife through the risk of entanglement. The RNLI encourages all mariners and coastal visitors to dispose of waste responsibly.”

Upon return to the station the lifeboat was refuelled and readied for service. The Port Isaac RNLI crew remains on standby, ready to respond to emergencies.

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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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.