Newquay RNLI assist with seven incidents in one day
It was a busy day for crews on Thursday 17 August
RNLI volunteers from Newquay lifeboats were tasked to seven different incidents on Thursday 17 August.
The day started at 9.13am, when Falmouth Coastguard called Newquay volunteers to an incident at Mawgan Porth. A report had been received from an informant that they had seen a person in the water and caught in a rip current.
The crew launched the charity's Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat and joined Newquay Coastguard Rescue Team, HM Coastguard Padstow, RNLI Lifeguards Newquay & Newquay Coastguard Rescue Helicopter 924 in the search.
After an extensive search of the area by all assets and receipt of further information it was confirmed that this was a false alarm with good intent and all teams stood down
En route back to Newquay harbour, the second tasking was received from the Coastguard. The skipper of a small yacht was experiencing engine difficulties near to Ligger Head and Newquay volunteers were tasked to tow the skipper and yacht back to the safety of St Agnes.
Once the yacht and its occupant were safe, the volunteers made their way back to the lifeboat station, however a further request was made for them to investigate a sighting of someone climbing a rock having left their kayak in the sea. Fortunately after speaking to the person the crew were satisfied he was not in any difficulty and made their way home.
At 3.32pm Newquay RNLI Lifeboats volunteers launched the charity’s D Class lifeboat to assist Newquay Coastguard Rescue team, St Agnes Coastguard Search & Rescue Team, RNLI Lifeguards Newquay & Newquay Coastguard Rescue Helicopter 924 at an incident at Holywell Bay where a casualty was stuck halfway up the cliff.
Newquay Lifeboat volunteers provided water safety cover while the casualty was successfully lifted to safety by Rescue helicopter 924.
Whilst the incident was being attended to at Holywell Bay, crew of the charity’s Atlantic 85 were tasked to attend Bedruthan steps where a male casualty had climbed up to the top of Red Cove Island and was unable to descend.
HM Coastguard Padstow Search & Rescue Team and HM Coastguard Rescue Helicopter R187 from St Athan (Bristow Group) were also tasked to the incident.
Once again, volunteers from Newquay RNLI lifeboats were tasked to provide water safety while R187 rescue helicopter from St Athan winched the casualty to safety.
At 6.19pm just as the Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat had been recovered and was on Newquay harbour slip, the volunteers pager’s sounded again and the lifeboat was relaunched immediately to reports of a paddleboarder in difficulty at South Fistral.
On arrival at the scene at 6.26pm the volunteer crew discovered two girls on paddleboards who were tired and fatigued but confirmed they could make it to shore themselves. Atlantic crew stood by while the girls paddled to safety, to ensure they didn’t get into any further difficulty.
En route back to Newquay lifeboat station, a crew member spotted a surfer on a long board who appeared to be experiencing some difficulty, they swiftly went to investigate and upon speaking to the surfer, were satisfied that he was confident enough to make it back to safety himself. However, once again the volunteers stood by to ensure that he did indeed make it safely back on land.
People are being reminded in any coastal emergency to dial 999 and ask for the coastguard.