Looe RNLI volunteers launch to a kayaker in difficulties

Yesterday evening, Saturday 15 August 2026, Looe RNLI volunteer crew launch pagers sounded at 6.22 pm after Falmouth Coastguard Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) received a call about a kayaker off Plaidy beach. The kayaker was being blown out to sea and was in difficulties.

Launching the charity's D Class Ollie Naismith II our crews quickly arrived on scene. Checking the kayaker was uninjured, our crew took him safely to family waiting on the beach. Before leaving Plaidy beach our crews offer safety advice on the risk of going out in offshore winds, these winds, which blow out to sea, can be stronger than forecasted as they funnel down valleys towards the beaches and make it far more difficult to paddle back to shore.

This was the first operational shout for newly qualified helm Rich Jones, congratulations Rich.

Paddleboard / Kayak incidents

Six of the recent shouts for Looe RNLI volunteer crews have all been to paddleboarders or kayakers who have been caught out in strong offshore winds

The primary safety advice from the RNLI and Paddle UK is simple: never launch your paddleboard ( or other inflatable crafts) in offshore winds. Offshore winds (blowing from the land out to sea) can blow lightweight craft out to deep water faster than you can paddle, quickly exhausting you.

If you are out on the water and are unable to paddle back to shore, do not stand on the board, as this acts like a sail. Instead: drop to your knees or lie prone (stomach-down) on the board. If you have the energy, prone paddling is the most effective way to make progress against the wind. Lie on your stomach and paddle with your arms (like a surfer). This lowers your profile and reduces wind resistance. Remember to wear your buoyancy aid at all times, use a leash, and always carry a means of calling for help, keeping it close to hand.

In trouble call 999 and ask for the coastguard

Further safety advice can be found at

https://rnli.org/water-safety/choose-your-activity/stand-up-paddle-boarding

https://rnli.org/water-safety/choose-your-activity/kayaking-and-canoeing

END

Notes to editors

Photos:

· Shore crew washing down the D Class ILB Ollie Naismith II after returning from Plaidy
Photo credits RNLI / Ian Foster

· Rich Jones at the helm of the D Class ILB Ollie Naismith II returning to station on a recent training exercise.
Photo credits 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

RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

Ian Foster, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for RNLI Looe Lifeboat Station, [email protected]

Kyle Reed, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for South West England, 07786 668847, [email protected]

Amy Caldwell, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for South West England, 07920 818807, [email protected]

RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789, [email protected]

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.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, 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.