Looe RNLI volunteers launch to assist 2 persons cut off by tide at Tregonhawke

In an unusual coincidence, two of four Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboats, funded through a legacy gift left to the RNLI by the late Sheila and Dennis Tongue, were launched on service at the same time some 340 miles apart.

Yesterday afternoon, Saturday 24 February 2024, Falmouth Coastguard Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre received a 999 call from two people, with two dogs, who were cut off by the tide in a cove at Tregonhawke, Whitsand Bay. The casualties reported the tide was coming in fast, rapidly covering the beach and there was no safe exit route up the cliff face. When asked about the sea conditions they described large waves breaking close to shore.

After discussing the incident with our duty Launch Authority, Looe RNLI volunteer crew were paged at 2.41 pm and tasked to assess and assist the casualties if possible. Within 11 minutes the charity’s Atlantic 85 Sheila and Dennis Tongue II and D Class Ollie Naismith II were launched and crews made best speed in poor sea conditions towards the casualties’ location. Arriving on scene, our crews encountered large wave sets and a heavy shore dump close to the beach. Looe, Tamar and Plymouth Coastguard rescue teams, who had arrived at the cliff top, informed our crews that they could not see the casualties below and a rope rescue down the cliff face would be difficult. After reporting the sea and cliff conditions back to Falmouth MRCC our helm considered the safest method of extraction would be by helicopter and requested the tasking of a HMCG helicopter. Rescue 924 was already airborne over the Lizard and was duly tasked, arriving on scene some 14 minutes later. Our crews stood by offshore providing safety cover whilst the winchman was dropped onto the beach to assess the casualties. They were then winched to the waiting coastguard rescue teams on the cliff top.

With the casualties safe in the care of the coastguard rescue teams, our lifeboats were stood down to return to station. Whilst this shout was in progress our Lifeboat Press Officer received a message from his opposite number at RNLI Staithes and Runswick Lifeboat Station. Staithes and Runswick operate our sister Atlantic 85 Sheila and Dennis Tongue III which was launched on service 20 minutes before her sibling Atlantic 85. Even though our lifeboat stations are some 340 miles apart, it is very unusual for two of the four lifeboats funded through a legacy left to the RNLI by Sheila and Dennis Tongue to be launched on service at the same time. The other two Atlantic 85’s funded by their very generous legacy are operated by RNLI colleagues at Sligo Bay ( Sheila and Dennis Tongue ) and Loch Ness ( Sheila and Dennis Tongue IV ) Lifeboat Stations.

Gifts in Wills help give our lifeboat crews everything they need to launch to the rescue and save lives at sea. A gift will help provide lifeboat crews with the kit, training, and lifeboats they need to launch to the rescue. In fact, 6 in every 10 lifeboat launches are only possible thanks to kind legacy gifts.

For more information on leaving a gift in your will please have a look at https://rnli.org/support-us/give-money/leave-a-gift-in-your-will

ENDS

Notes to Editors

Photos:

· Looe RNLI Atlantic 85 Sheila and Dennis Tongue II returning to station from Tregonhawke
Photo credit RNLI / Ian Foster

· Looe RNLI D Class Ollie Naismith II returning to station from Tregonhawke
Photo credit RNLI / Ian Foster

· Stock image - Staithes and Runswick RNLI Atlantic 85 Sheila and Dennis Tongue III
Photo credit RNLI Staithes and Runswick

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

· The generous legacy gift left to the RNLI by the late Sheila and Dennis Tongue funded four of the charity’s Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboats

· B888 Sheila and Dennis Tongue on service with RNLI Sligo Bay Lifeboat Station

· B894 Sheila and Dennis Tongue II on service with RNLI Looe Lifeboat Station

· B897 Sheila and Dennis Tongue III on service with RNLI Staithes and Runswick Lifeboat Station

· B902 Sheila and Dennis Tongue IV on service with RNLI Loch Ness Lifeboat Station

· 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

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.