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Fowey RNLI inshore lifeboat launches to red distress flares

Lifeboats News Release

On March 14 Falmouth coastguard tasked Fowey’s inshore lifeboat to launch at 10.38am to investigate sightings of two red distress flares that had been seen in the vicinity of St Winnow, upriver from Golant.

High water had been at 8.10am and there was concern that the depth of water might prevent the inshore lifeboat reaching the reported location. The Harbour Master agreed to send two of his high speed craft, which were already on the water, upriver immediately. The inshore boat with volunteer helm, Callum Pritchard, and volunteer crew members Pete Parry and Boris Watts was launched and they reached the scene shortly after the harbour craft. The harbour patrol boats had spotted a small rib and two canoes on the west bank of the river and informed the lifeboat crew of the situation. With the rapidly falling tide the inshore lifeboat was unable to reach the shore near the craft. Crew member Pete Parry swam to the nearby mud bank and slowly made his way ashore were he found the three craft in an abandoned state with no sign of any recent activity. He then followed a little used track inland to the nearest house were he found no sign of activity. The coast guard stood the crew down and the matter was handed over to the St. Austell Coastguard Rescue Team for further investigation. This was a good example of a coordinated response by Fowey RNLI, Fowey Harbour and the local coastguard team.

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 It’s important that when flares go out of date they are disposed of correctly. Some boat users carry their old flares as a back up to their in date flares. Out of date flares become progressively less reliable and may fail to operate if used after their expiry date.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.

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