Woman, 25, rescued from water in Cornwall following early-hours swim after drinking
The RNLI says the casualty was trying to reach her boyfriend on board a boat at Bossiney Haven
Last updated 15th Jun 2021
The RNLI has issued a warning about the dangers of swimming after drinking following a young woman's rescue in north Cornwall.
The 25-year-old was pulled from the water at Bossiney Haven, after trying to swim to a boat anchored out to sea.
Her boyfriend was on board the Delta Dawn but when she reached the vessel, she couldn't get on deck and was too weak to head back to shore.
Port Isaac RNLI says the Delta Dawn's crew were all asleep and did not hear her cries for help until two hours later!
When they realised what was happening, they changed the casualty's clothes and wrapped her in a duvet to warm-up slowly from the effects of hypothermia.
Port Isaac RNLI were alrerted to the ongoing incident by Falmouth Coastguard at around 6am.
The woman was then taken back to Padstow Harbour by the RNLI and left in the care of her friends, who were given advice on what to do if her condition changed.
The casualty was also given safety advice about going into the water at night and whilst intoxicated.
The RNLI said: "Around 190 people lose their lives at the UK and Irish coasts each year, and over half never even planned to enter the water.
"Cold water shock is triggered in water temperatures lower than 15°C - the average temperature of UK and Irish waters is 12°C.
"So even in the Summer, the water temperature is cold enough to cause cold water shock, which can steal the air from your lungs and leave you helpless in seconds.
"As part of the RNLI Respect the Water campaign it is our goal to halve the number of accidental coastal deaths by 2024".
RNLI
You can read more safety advice here or watch the RNLI's 'Float to Live' awareness video below...