Looe RNLI volunteers assist a family of four unable to relaunch kayaks

Looe RNLI volunteer crews launched both of the charity’s inshore lifeboats at lunchtime today, Friday 9 August 2024, to go to the assistance of a family of four ( two adults with two children ) who were having difficulty relaunching their kayaks from a beach between Millendreath and Seaton. Eleven minutes after crew pagers sounded at 12.07 pm, the D Class inshore lifeboat Ollie Naismith II helmed by Dave Jackman headed towards the location, quickly followed by the Atlantic 85 Sheila and Dennis Tongue II helmed by Matt Jaycock. Our crew on the D Class quickly spotted the family on a beach below Keveral cliffs. It transpired that the family had planned to stop on the beach for lunch but close to shore they encountered a strong shore dump. With the strengthening onshore winds, they decided not to stay. However, they experienced difficulties relaunching the kayaks from the beach and called for assistance. After a quick casualty care assessment confirmed there were no injuries, the family were transferred by the D Class onto the Atlantic 85. The Atlantic 85 returned the casualties to Looe with the crew on the D Class following with the two kayaks.

This lunchtime shout was the first one for our newest volunteer, Mark Turton, who completed his Crew Emergency Procedures course mid July in Poole. This was an important step in Mark’s training as he can now go afloat on a shout. Receiving his pager on Wednesday evening, Mark commented that he did not expect to be responding to a launch page within 48 hours.

Duty launch authority, Brain Bowdler, went on to say, “that the casualties did the right thing in calling for assistance. Negotiating a shore dump can be tricky, which is why I authorised the launch of boat inshore lifeboats. Even when the sea looks relatively calm, waves on beaches tend to come in sets of several larger waves and can go from ankle high to chest high in minutes, breaking very close to shore this is known as a shore dump. It is in these challenging conditions that the D Class comes into its own for beach rescues”

ENDS

Notes to Editors

Photos:

· Looe RNLI crew recovering the D Class inshore lifeboat with one of the kayaks
Photo credit RNLI / Ian Foster

· Looe RNLI’s Atlantic 85 returning to station
Photo credit RNLI / Ian Foster

· Looe RNLI volunteer crew Mark Turton after his 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

· For further information on Looe RNLI Lifeboats please visit our website https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/looe-lifeboat-station

· Looe RNLI Facebook page www.facebook.com/LooeRNLI

· In 2024, the RNLI will be celebrating 200 years - and counting, commemorating this remarkable past, celebrating our lifesaving achievements today, and inspiring a future where we can save every one. More information on RNLI 200 can be found at https://rnli.org/about-us/our-history/2024

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 Emma Haines, RNLI Regional Communications Manager, on 07866 668847 or [email protected]

or Amy Caldwell, RNLI Regional Communications Lead, on 07920 818807 or [email protected]

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.

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.