Donate now

Both Fowey lifeboats launch to red distress flares

Lifeboats News Release

On 15 July in the early hours of the morning, Falmouth coastguard tasked both of Fowey’s lifeboats to launch to investigate sightings of multiple red distress flares that had been seen in St Austell Bay.

Fowey RNLI

Both boats were launched at 2:45am and conducted a search of the bay. Nothing was found and they were stood down at 5am and boats made ready for service at 6am.

Fowey Lifeboat Operations Manager, Chris Ogg said: ‘We would like to remind people that it is illegal to let flares off in anything other than an emergency. It is also illegal to dump flares at sea or on land. It’s important that when flares go out of date they are disposed of correctly. Out of date flares become progressively less reliable and may fail to operate if used after their expiry date. For people who want to dispose of old flares in Cornwall, the nearest facility is at Ocean Safety, based at Unit 6, Eastern Wood Road, Langage Business Park, Plympton, Plymouth PL7 5ET. Telephone 01752 341 787.


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.

Categories