Looe RNLI volunteers involved in a Shipton Abbott mystery

The lifeboat station’s volunteer crew were tasked to investigate a mayday call transmitted from a local trawler, Tom Crocker, reporting a missing person. Quickly launching the charity’s Atlantic 85 our crew headed out into Shipton Abbott bay to rendezvous with the trawler and commence a search. The mystery deepened as our crew were unable to locate the missing person in the water. Our crew escorted the trawler back into Shipton Abbott harbour where they were met by DI Goodman and Sgt Williams from Shipton Abbott Police station to investigate further.

Yes, for a few days filming last Autumn, Looe took on the location of Shipton Abbott in the popular TV show Beyond Paradise. You will have to watch this episode on catch up TV to find out what happened when Looe Lifeboat Station became Shipton Abbott Lifeboat Station. Our volunteer crew David Jackman, Jack Spree, Aaron Rix and Goron Jones had an enjoyable couple of days meeting the cast and crew and being a small part of the plot. Behind the scenes our shore crew, Eric Candy, Dave Mitchell, Dave Robinson, Richard Porter, Ian Foster and Dave Haines were on hand to ensure a safe launch and recovery of the Atlantic 85 Sheila and Dennis Tongue II. Clive Palfrey, one of our senior helms, who is a fishing safety advisor, was on hand to help the cast stay safe and show them how to get in and out of the RNLI kit. Dave Haines and former Looe RNLI launch authority Nick Pope, also have cameo appearances in this episode, taking part in the funeral flotilla of boats.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

Photos:

· Looe RNLI volunteer crew Jack Spree, David Jackman, Goron Jones and Aaron Rix with Kris Marshall on East Looe Quay during filming
Photo credit BBC / Red Planet Pictures / Joss Barratt

· Looe RNLI volunteer crew Aaron Rix, David Jackman, Goron Jones and Jack Spree taking a break from filming
Photo credit RNLI / Ian Foster

· Looe RNLI volunteer crew David Jackman, Aaron Rix, Goron Jones and Jack Spree onboard the charity’s Atlantic 85 Sheila and Dennis Tongue II
Photo credit RNLI / Ian Foster

· Looe RNLI volunteer crew moving the charity’s Atlantic 85 Sheila and Dennis Tongue II into position, ready for the next scene
Photo credit RNLI / Ian Foster

Information:

· Re-established as an inshore lifeboat station in 1992, Looe RNLI operate two inshore lifeboats
An Atlantic 85 Sheila and Dennis Tongue II and a D Class Ollie Naismith II

· For further information on Looe RNLI Lifeboats please visit our website https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/looe-lifeboat-station

· Looe RNLI Facebook page www.facebook.com/LooeRNLI

· In 2024, the RNLI will be celebrating 200 years - and counting, commemorating this remarkable past, celebrating our lifesaving achievements today, and inspiring a future where we can save every one. More information on RNLI 200 can be found at https://rnli.org/about-us/our-history/2024

· Click here to access the RNLI 200^th anniversary media pack, which contains a selection of RNLI archive images from key points in the charity’s history, an RNLI history timeline, and a film of ‘200 years in 200 seconds’ – all of which can be downloaded.

Media contacts

For more information please telephone

Ian Foster, RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for Looe Lifeboat Station, on 07902 753228 or [email protected] or [email protected]

or Emma Haines, RNLI Regional Communications Manager, on 07866 668847 or [email protected]

or Amy Caldwell, RNLI Regional Communications Lead, on 07920 818807 or [email protected]

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.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter 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.