First shout of the bicentenary year for Appledore and Padstow RNLI
Appledore and Padstow RNLI volunteers joined forces on Tuesday evening (9 January)to rescue a broken down fishing boat off Bude.
Just before 8pm on Tuesday evening (9 January) the volunteer crew of Appledore RNLI all-weather Tamar class lifeboat were just completing their weekly training session when they ware tasked to help a disabled commercial fishing boat which had experienced engine failure whilst its nets were deployed, 11 miles west of Bude. Appledore RNLI was tasked rather than Padstow RNLI on this occasion as the crew were already all on board and therefore could get to the casualty the quickest.
On arrival at 9.30pm Appledore RNLI volunteer lifeboat crew assessed the situation and a tow line was established. Padstow was deemed the nearest and safest harbour, so Padstow RNLI Tamar lifeboat launched at 10pm and arrived on scene to take over the tow just before 11.45 pm, took the fishing vessel into Padstow harbour and returned back to station at 5.30am on Wednesday (10 January). Once the tow was taken from them, Appledore RNLI lifeboat crew left the scene and arrived back at their station at 3.30am.
It was a long and bitterly cold sub-zero night at sea for both lifeboat crews, as well as those on the fishing boat.
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.