St Agnes RNLI Launches to Photographer Caught in Heavy Surf

At 2:45pm this afternoon, pagers were activated alerting crew members to attend an immediate launch of the D-class inshore lifeboat. With substantial surf in Trevaunance Cove, the crew of three, assisted by shore crew, were able to launch within minutes of being paged. HM Coastguard, Falmouth, briefed the crew with details of a person who had got into difficulty while photographing surfers in the Porthtowan area.

Strong offshore winds, while providing good surfing conditions, can create a choppy sea off St Agnes Head. Nevertheless, the lifeboat made good speed to the Porthtowan area. With the crew almost on scene it was reported by HM Coastguard Falmouth that the casualty had safely self-recovered, and the lifeboat was stood down.

Volunteer lifeboat helm Dan Grant commented,

“This is a happy outcome. We have no problem being tasked and stood down when we know that everyone is safe and sound. If you see someone and you think they might be in trouble, it is always better to be safe than sorry. Make a 999 call and ask for the Coastguard.”

For more information on what to do in an emergency by the sea visit: https://rnli.org/safety/how-to-call-for-help-at-sea

The lifeboat was refuelled, rehoused, and ready for service at 3:30pm hours.

RNLI media contacts

For more information please telephone Tom Knight, Lifeboat Press Officer on 07538 418391 [email protected] or contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.

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For more information on the RNLI please visit rnli.org. News releases and other media resources, including RSS feeds, downloadable photos and video, are available at the RNLI News Centre rnli.org/news-and-media.

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 over 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 142,200 lives.

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, X, TikTok 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.