Lizard RNLI Launched to Possible Casualty in the Water
Lizard RNLI Launched to Possible Casualty in the Water
Lifeboats News Release
Our crew were paged at 4.52pm this afternoon – Thursday 16th November following an unconfirmed report from a member of the public who thought they had seen a person in a high visibility jacket climbing a cliff in the area of Housel Bay.
The coastguard rescue helicopter 924 was already on scene along with coastguard rescue teams from Mullion and Porthoustock. With no further sightings and no apparent or immediate cause for concern, RNLB Rose and her crew stood by prior to
launching to await further updates from those on scene who were already carrying out an intensive search of the shoreline. Soon after the coastguard helicopter was stood down and returned to base after their search was complete and having found no sign of a casualty.
A short time later additional information was passed on to the Lifeboat Operations Manager, after another member of the public was alleged to have witnessed a person entering the water and in need of assistance. RNLB Rose promptly launched and under the command of Coxswain Dan Atkinson the crew carried out a thorough shoreline search between the lifeboat station and Housel Bay. Porthoustock Coastguards also remained on scene.
During the search the lifeboat fired several white parachute flares and subsequently located an orange container of some description nestled within the foot of the cliff. However retrieval of this item proved impossible because if its close location to the rocks and the rough sea swell on scene. Once establishing that the container was not a casualty and with no evidence of a person in the water during the initial search, RNLB Rose was stood down, returned to her station at Kilcobben Cove and was made ready for service again when required by 6.45pm.
Another example of excellent and meticulous work carried out by all services in attendance.
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.
