Looe RNLI volunteers rescue a swimmer in difficulties in Looe River

Earlier this afternoon, Saturday 5 April 2025, two persons found themselves in difficulties in Looe River. The incident unfolded after the swimmers entered the river off Pennyland, West Looe. With an outgoing tide and choppy conditions, due to strong Easterly winds, the pair quickly found themselves struggling against the tide. One swimmer was able to self-recover back onto Pennyland, but the other found themselves being taken downstream, and out towards the sea, by the current. Receiving multiple 999 calls, Falmouth Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) requested the assistance of the charity’s D Class inshore lifeboat. Several of our RNLI volunteer crew were close to the station when pagers sounded at 2.05 pm, and within seven minutes the Ollie Naismith II was launching. Heading downstream they found the casualty close to the river estuary unable to make any headway against the strong current. Bringing the casualty on board the D Class lifeboat our crew found them to be tired from swimming against the tide but otherwise uninjured. Our crew took the casualty back to Pennyland where they confirmed the second swimmer was also uninjured. Leaving the casualties in West Looe our crew crossed back over the river to the Lifeboat Station where the D Class was recovered, washed down and made ready for service. The whole shout had taken only 17 minutes to complete.

One of our helms who responded to the shout is Dave Jackman, Looe’s Assistant Harbour Master. Dave commented “this incident highlights one of the reasons there are Harbour bylaws prohibiting swimming in Looe river. As the tide goes out the underlying currents are deceptive, and as seen this afternoon it is difficult and exhausting to swim against the river current and tidal flow. The sea conditions were made worse due to the strong easterly winds creating a large swell along the bar and White Rock at the river estuary. The casualty was lucky that their situation was witnessed members of public who called 999 for assistance.

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Notes to editors

Photos:

· Stock image Looe RNLI D Class ILB Ollie Naismith II
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

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 146,000 lives.

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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.