Looe RNLI volunteers rescue 4 teenagers cut off by the tide

Sunday 16 March 2025, saw the first service launch in 2025 for Looe RNLI volunteer crews. Within 12 minutes of pagers sounding at 5.58pm, our shore crew were launching the charity’s D Class inshore lifeboat Ollie Naismith II. Heading out from Looe river the crew were tasked to assist 4 teenagers who were cut off by the incoming spring tide to the East of Millendreath beach. With the light fading the D Class made its way over towards Millendreath where our crew quickly located the casualties stuck on rocks. Whilst a quick casualty care assessment confirmed there were no injuries, three of the group said they had entered the water and were feeling effects from the cold water. Rather than take the casualties to the beach, our helm decided to bring all 4 onto the inshore lifeboat and return to the lifeboat station to warm up the casualties. Looe and Polruan Coastguard Rescue teams were also in attendance at the Lifeboat Station, where the casualties were reunited with their families.

After the D Class was washed down and refuelled ready for the next service, our volunteer crew remarked that this incident is “a timely reminder to always check tide times before setting out and to keep an eye on your surroundings. Last night’s high tide was around 7pm and being a spring tide it was higher than usual. Sunset was 6.25pm and with the light was beginning to fade, it can be more difficult to see the water rising around you. Our crew go on to say “The casualties did the right thing in raising the alarm as soon as they realised they were cut off.

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Notes to editors

Photos:

· Stock image – Looe RNLI D Class D-872 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.