Busy start to February for St Ives RNLI volunteers

At 13.48 on Tuesday 3 February, the inshore lifeboat launched following a 999 call reporting a surfer drifting in a rip current and being carried towards the Godrevy/Gwithian area.

The inshore lifeboat, helmed by Jake Martin with two volunteer crew onboard, made best speed towards Hayle before conducting a shoreline sweep towards Gwithian. A second 999 call then confirmed that the surfer had made it safely ashore. Volunteer Helm, Jake, put one crew member ashore to check on the casualty’s welfare. With all well, the crew member rejoined the lifeboat and the lifeboat returned to station.

Speaking after the incident, Jake said: “We remind people to never hesitate to make that call for help. If you see someone in difficulty on or near the water, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.”

The following evening, Wednesday 4 February, volunteers were arriving for a scheduled training session when both boats were tasked to another incident.

At 18.10, HM Coastguard requested the launch of the inshore lifeboat to assist Police with a shoreline search in the Gwithian area. A further request followed at 18.19 for the all-weather lifeboat to launch.

Both lifeboats launched promptly and headed to the scene. Shortly after launching, the crews were stood down. The inshore lifeboat returned to station, while the all-weather lifeboat moored in the bay due to the high tide. Crew were back ashore by approximately 7pm, allowing the planned training session to continue.

The evening’s session, delivered by Ollie George, Coastal Lifeboat Trainer, and facilitated by Dickon Berriman, Area Operations Manager, focused on Human Factors and Operational Decision Making. Topics included communication, leadership and teamwork, decision making and situational awareness, and how these elements will be embedded into RNLI training going forward.

At the end of the evening, once training had concluded, the all‑weather lifeboat was recovered back to the station, washed down and made ready for its next service.

For further information, please contact:

Rob Cording-Cook, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for St Ives RNLI on [email protected] or Emma Haines, Regional Communications Manager on [email protected]

RNLI Press Office 01202 336789 or [email protected]

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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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