Plymouth RNLI carry out multiple rescues in one evening

Plymouth RNLI volunteer crew first launched on service at 6.28pm after the owner of a 17ft speed boat dialled 999 and asked for the Coastguard reporting engine failure with their dog and three peopleson board in the vicinity of Jennycliff Bay. As the charity’s Atlantic 85 Vivacious Atlantic arrived on scene the decision was made to take the casualty vessel under tow to the safest nearest port.

The crew returned to station ready for service at 7.30pm.

As the crew were leaving the station the pager sounded at 7.42pm and the crew re launched the charity’s Atlantic 85 on service to locate, assess and assist three paddle boarders that had dialled 999 and reported to the Coastguard they were stranded on the south side of Drakes Island and they had been caught out by the increasing off shore winds. The volunteer crew located the three casualties and returned them safely to Firestone Bay.

As the crew were leaving Firestone Bay the MOD Police boat had reported finding an inflated lifejacket in the water near Torpoint.

The Atlantic 85 class lifeboat proceeded to the area to assist in the search for anything untoward.

The decision was made by our launching authority Nigel and Falmouth Coastguard to launch the Severn Class lifeboat Sybil Mullen Glover to further assist in the search on the River Tamar. The Y-Class lifeboat launched from the all-weather lifeboat with two crew members to conduct a closer search around the moorings.

With nothing untoward found and no further information the decision was made by Falmouth Coastguard to stand down the search.

All assets returned to station ready for service 9.55pm.

Helm Cameron Hicks said: 'Tonight Plymouth RNLI volunteers responded to multiple shouts that could have been avoided if a few easy preventative steps were taken. We advise people to always check your engine and fuel before every trip, check the tide times and wind direction, and clearly mark your lifejacket with your name and telephone number.

'We would also recommend to take a fully charged mobile phone in a waterproof casein dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard if you get in to difficulty.

RNLI media contacts

For more information please telephone John Baldry, Plymouth RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07792649768 or [email protected] or Darren Blight on 07984399860 [email protected] or contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI charity 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 142,700 lives.

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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.