Port Isaac RNLI Rescue Paddle Boarders Off Port Gaverne
At 3:18pm on Tuesday, 6th August, the RNLI volunteer crew of the D-Class inshore lifeboat The Pride of Port Isaac responded to a call from the Coastguard reporting five paddle boarders being blown out to sea from Port Gaverne towards Barrett’s Zawn.
The paddle boarders were feared to be nearly two miles offshore, caught in increasingly strong WSW winds. The Pride of Port Isaac, alongside the fishing boat Emma Kate from Padstow, swiftly responded to the Coastguard's pan-pan call. The RNLI lifeboat crew quickly located the paddle boarders, who were fortunately not as far out as initially feared. Padstow Lifeboat was also tasked to the scene but were quickly stood down as with the assistance of Emma Kate, all five casualties and their paddle boards were safely recovered and brought back to the beach at Port Gaverne by Port Isaac lifeboat.
Helmsman Tom Brown emphasised the importance of staying vigilant to weather conditions. "The wind can pick up unexpectedly and change conditions very quickly, which is exactly what happened today. Even experienced water users can find themselves in trouble. We always advise anyone heading out to sea to wear a flotation device and ensure they have a means of communication. It can make all the difference in an emergency."
Coincidentally, following the successful rescue, a member of the RNLI team, who had just helped launch the lifeboat, encountered three visitors preparing to paddleboard. After sharing news of the recent rescue and advising them on the strong winds, the visitors wisely chose to postpone their paddle until conditions were safer.
The RNLI continues to remind all water users of the importance of checking weather conditions before heading out and carrying essential safety equipment. The crew of The Pride of Port Isaac remain on standby, ready to respond to any further 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 142,700 lives.
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