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Concerned Member of the Public Calls 999

Lifeboats News Release

Our crew were paged at 2.24pm after a launch request was received by our duty Launch Authority from Falmouth Coastguard.

RNLI/Geoff Squibb

Photo not taken during this service launch...
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Our tasking was to proceed to Dollor Cove, Gunwalloe after concern was raised by a member of the public for 4 people who had been seen leaving the cove over an hour earlier and who had not yet returned. 2 people were on one kayak, and 2 people were on a paddleboard.

RNLB Mollie Hunt launched on service at 2.38pm and proceeded to the scene. Thankfully not long after launching it was confirmed that all 4 persons had been located safe and well and all were confident users of their kayak and paddleboard. The lifeboat carried on to the scene and spoke with the 4 persons concerned, none of whom were aware of the increased wind and potential need of assistance if they had carried on further. As they were intending to make their way back to Dollor Cove, they came aboard the lifeboat so they could be safely returned nearer to their original location. Once a short distance away the 4 people returned to the water and under the watchful eye of the lifeboat crew made their way safely ashore allowing the lifeboat to return to station.

During the passage back to the lifeboat station the crew were vigilant when approaching Polurrian, Kynance and other smaller coves to ensure that nobody else had been caught out by the increasing winds and tide. The lifeboat arrived back at the station at 4.20pm where she was rehoused, refuelled and made ready for service again when required by 5.10pm.

This service was thankfully a false alarm with the 999 call made with good intent.

RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

Lyndsay Bray, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for RNLI South West, [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.

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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.

About the author

Lyndsay Bray
Lifeboat Press Officer, The Lizard Lifeboat Station

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