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Llandudno RNLI launches to investigate reports of upturned canoe

Lifeboats News Release

Llandudno RNLI's inshore lifeboat launched on Friday 3 July following reports of an upturned inflatable canoe drifting off Penrhyn Bay.

RNLI/Luke Heritage

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HM Coastguard requested the launch after receiving a call from a concerned member of the public who had spotted the overturned canoe in the water.

Guided to the location by Llandudno Coastguard Rescue Team ashore, the volunteer crew quickly located the canoe. While the lifeboat crew investigated, Coastguard officers on shore traced the owners, who confirmed the canoe had accidentally drifted away and that all members of the family were safe and accounted for.

With no persons missing, the crew recovered the canoe to prevent further emergency call-outs before returning to the lifeboat station. The canoe was later collected by its owner.

Paul Moreton, Llandudno RNLI Launch Authority, said: "An unattended or overturned craft can easily appear to be an emergency, so it was absolutely the right thing for the member of the public to report what they had seen. We'd always rather launch and find everyone safe than risk someone in genuine difficulty going unnoticed. Recovering the canoe also helped prevent further reports and unnecessary call-outs."

RNLI/Luke Heritage

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RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

Luke Heritage, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for RNLI Wales & West, [email protected]

Claire Fitzpatrick-Smith, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for Wales, West of England and Isle of Man, 07977 728 315, [email protected]

Danielle Rush, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for Wales, West of England and Isle of Man, 07786 668829, [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.

About the author

Luke Heritage
Lifeboat Press Officer, Llandudno Lifeboat Station

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