RNLI Helm Quits Birthday to Rescue Two Walkers
Recently passed out volunteer helm, Kit Watkins, left his birthday celebrations to command St Agnes Lifeboat on his first rescue since rejoining the RNLI.
The volunteer crew of St Agnes RNLI lifeboat was paged at 2:44pm on Friday 7th November and tasked with an immediate launch to two people cut off by the tide. The D-Class inshore lifeboat (ILB) was launched with a standard compliment of three crew. With Watkins at the helm, the ILB punched through moderate surf and made way for Wheal Charlotte where the casualties were reported to be trapped by the rising spring tide.
Arriving on scene at the location between Chapel Porth and Porthtowan, the crew quickly located the two adult casualties, one male and one female, who had been enjoying a walk between the popular Cornish beaches. Having noticed that the sea was rising more rapidly than she expected one of the walkers used her mobile phone to call 999 and alert the emergency services.
The D-class lifeboat is ideally suited to working close in to shore. St Agnes Cliff Rescue team were on scene to offer support and Watkins was able to bring the lifeboat close in to allow the crew to bring the two walkers aboard. With a pushing spring tide and significant surf, a decision was made to return to St Agnes and land the lifeboat at Trevaunance Cove.
On returning to shore the casualties, who were wet, cold and shaken, were assessed by casualty care trained RNLI volunteers and, with no injuries they warmed up in St Agnes RNLI headquarters with hot drinks.
Volunteer helm, Kit Watkins said, “It was an unexpected part of my birthday, but I’m very glad it meant that I was available to attend and, on this occasion command a successful rescue. I would like to commend the walker who made a call to the emergency services. She did absolutely the right thing and it’s likely that two lives were saved as a result.”
St Agnes lifeboat was refuelled, rehoused, and ready for service at 4pm.
For more information on how to understand the tides and stay safe at the shoreline, visit: https://rnli.org/safety/know-the-risks/tides
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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 is the charity that 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 146,700 lives.
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