Byline: Under powder blue skies and in glorious sunshine, the volunteer team at Bude RNLI lifeboat station held a formal naming ceremony and service of dedication for their new D class inshore lifeboat George Bird today (Saturday 18 May 2013). Page Content:

The event was hosted at the lifeboat station where the donor of the lifeboat, Mrs Patricia Bird from Kent splashed the bow with champagne as she named the new lifeboat in memory of her husband. 

Guests were greeted first by Paul Finn, Chairman of the Bude RNLI Lifeboat Management Group who said the ceremony continued a proud tradition for the station:

‘The first lifeboat for Bude was presented by King William IV in 1837. Our first D class inshore lifeboat arrived in 1966 and today we are welcoming the George Bird ensuring we have the very best up-to-date lifeboat. Without the generosity of Mrs Bird and that of our many volunteers, the RNLI wouldn’t be the charity it is today, thank you.’   

Chris Cloke, RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager at Bude, accepted the lifeboat on behalf of the station and took the opportunity to remind people of the need for more volunteers to support the charity’s work in the town:

‘We urgently need to find new helpers and supporters, including recruits for the crew and people who can help with our fundraising events. We hope this ceremony will illustrate the importance of our work saving lives at sea, and persuade people that there’s a lot of fun to be had as part of a local RNLI team.’

After the ceremony, during which Mrs Bird was presented with a bouquet of flowers, the new D class inshore lifeboat launched to the sound of a lone piper playing Trelawney.  The guests were then treated to hot drinks and very popular home-made biscuits produced by two of the station’s talented volunteers. 
 
George Bird replaces the station’s former D class inshore lifeboat Henry Philip that was on station from 2004 to 2012. During this time the lifeboat launched 69 times and rescued 29 people.

RNLI notes to editors

• The attached pictures should be credited to RNLI/Simon Culliford and are as follows:
*Mrs Patricia Bird naming the new Bude RNLI D class inshore lifeboat George Bird in memory of her late husband, with a little help from Tom Mansell, RNLI Divisional Operations Manager.
*The naming ceremony venue at Bude RNLI lifeboat station as the event begins.
*The new Bude RNLI D class inshore lifeboat George Bird is put through her paces at sea straight after the ceremony.

• A short video of the event is available from Tamsin Thomas via the contact details below.
 
• Since 1963 the D class has become the workhorse of the charity, being highly manoeuvrable, able to work close inshore in shallow water, broken surf and areas that other lifeboats in the fleet could not operate. D class lifeboats have accounted for 30% of all RNLI launches, and the D class lifeboat accounts for 48% of all inshore lifeboat launches.  The D class has been constantly refined and improved with many of the changes being suggested and trialled by volunteer crew members before being incorporated into the evolving design. The latest version was first produced in 2003 and incorporates the use of modern lightweight composite materials rather than timber, updated navigation and communications systems, and a more powerful outboard motor to improve acceleration and give a maximum speed of 25 knots.

RNLI media contacts
For more information please contact Tamsin Thomas, RNLI Public Relations Manager for the south west, on 07786 668847 or email Tamsin_Thomas@rnli.org.uk

Byline: Padstow RNLI lifeboat Tamar class ‘Spirit of Padstow’ launched at 8.05pm tonight (Sunday 12th May) to go to the aid of a yacht en route from Ireland making its way to Padstow Page Content:

The yacht, first reported problems some nine miles North West of Padstow, reporting trouble with the vessels engines and experiencing trouble sailing due to weather conditions. The crew managed to make their way to Newland Island where the lifeboat crew met the yacht and fixed a tow.

The lifeboat then proceeded to tow the yacht into the inner harbour at Padstow.

Notes to editors
• Padstow lifeboat station has been operating since 1827.
• To learn more about the lifeboat station go to www.rnli.org.uk/padstow

RNLI media contacts
For more information please telephone Sue Norfolk, RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07816 250053 / 01841 532902 or Tamsin Thomas, Media Relations Manager South West on 07786 668847

Byline: Padstow's RNLI lifeboat Tamar class ‘Spirit of Padstow’ launched at 8pm tonight (Saturday 11th May) to go to the assistance of a local fishing vessel Page Content:

The vessel had broken down with engine failure half a mile inside the Newland Island at the mouth of the Camel Estuary.

The fishing boat had managed to anchor and await the lifeboat.  Once on scene the volunteer RNLI lifeboat crew took the vessel under tow into Padstow Harbour.

Notes to editors
• Padstow lifeboat station has been operating since 1827.
• To learn more about the lifeboat station go to www.rnli.org.uk/padstow

RNLI media contacts
For more information please telephone Sue Norfolk, RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07816 250053 / 01841 532902 or Tamsin Thomas, Media Relations Manager South West on 07786 668847

Byline: Padstow RNLI lifeboat Tamar class ‘Spirit of Padstow’ launched at 11.45pm tonight (Sunday 5th May) to go to the assistance of a local fishing vessel. Page Content: The vessel got into difficulties off Perranporth when fishing gear became wrapped around the vessel’s propeller.

Once on scene the volunteer lifeboat crew fixed a tow and brought the vessel back into Padstow Harbour.
 
Notes to editors
• Padstow lifeboat station has been operating since 1827.
• To learn more about the lifeboat station go to www.rnli.org.uk/padstow

RNLI media contacts
For more information please telephone Sue Norfolk, RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07816 250053 / 01841 532902 or Tamsin Thomas, Media Relations Manager South West on 07786 668847

Byline: Four men have been rescued from their grounded vessel thanks to the professional actions of the Padstow RNLI lifeboat crew. Page Content: The group were onboard a converted fishing vessel that hit rocks in the Camel estuary as they headed towards Padstow harbour.

The lifeboat crew volunteers launched at 5am this morning (Monday 29 April) when reports came in that the Courageous II had gone aground and was holed and that the vessel’s crew were in immediate danger. 

Arriving on scene in just 12 minutes, volunteer RNLI Coxswain Alan Tarby skilfully bought the Tamar class all-weather lifeboat Spirit of Padstow alongside the stricken vessel in very shallow waters. The four men assembled on the aft deck (back) of the converted fishing vessel and were swiftly transferred to the lifeboat.

The RNLI team then headed straight back to the lifeboat station so the survivors could be checked over by paramedics.

Michael England is the RNLI Mechanic at Padstow:

‘This was a very speedy rescue as the four men were in immediate danger with the boat literally breaking up under their feet. Fortunately thanks to Alan’s skilful boat handling in very shallow water we were able to get them off the boat and ashore in minutes and they are all well. Sadly the vessel is breaking up very quickly.  They’re regular visitors to Padstow, usually appearing for our annual Mayday celebrations, and it’s very sad to see their boat in such a terrible situation.’    

The call came just four and a half hours after the Padstow RNLI team had returned from assisting two people onboard a small yacht that had lost its rudder two miles north of Boscastle. The volunteer crew had towed the boat to safety, arriving back at their Trevose Head boathouse at half past midnight this morning.

Notes to editors
• Please find attached a library picture of the Padstow RNLI Tamar class all-weather lifeboat Spirit of Padstow. Please credit RNLI/Nigel Millard.

RNLI media contacts
For more information please contact Tamsin Thomas, RNLI Public Relations Manager south west on 07786 668847 or email Tamsin_Thomas@rnli.org.uk

Byline: Newquay RNLI lifeboat volunteers were tasked around 9pm on Tuesday 7th May 2013 to assist two people who had fallen over the cliffs at East Pentire. Page Content:

Falmouth coastguards received a 999 call from a member of the public reporting two persons in difficulties at the end of Pentire headland. Newquay’s volunteer crew were immediately tasked and both inshore lifeboats were launched with volunteer crew men Mark Morris and Joe Emmett at the helms.

Three adult males had climbed down the cliff onto rocks below. As they ascended, one fell approximately 25 feet back into the sea; hitting rocks on his way down. One of the group continued to the cliff top to raise the alarm, the third man scrambled back down and into the water to assist the man who had fallen. He successfully helped the injured casualty back onto the rocks about 8 feet above the sea where they sat and waited for help.

Arriving on scene, volunteer crew member and paramedic Christian Brown was transferred from the D class lifeboat directly onto the rocks where he then scrambled up to assess the injured man. The uninjured casualty was taken off the rocks in the D class to the waiting Atlantic lifeboat from where he was taken back to the safety of the harbour.

Rescue helicopter 193 arrived on scene shortly after the lifeboats; an overhanging ledge made access tricky, the winch man was lowered and then manoeuvred in towards the rocky plateau. Armed with entonox and a stretcher, Christian and the winch man calmed the casualty who was in considerable pain. They then managed to strap him in a stretcher. Both the casualty and the winch man were then lifted to the helicopter. Christian was then collected by the D class lifeboat and the lifeboats stood down.

Christian reflected on the rescue:

“The recovery was thwarted by the weather conditions, just after we arrived on scene it started to rain heavily, then the light failed and we were reliant on illumination from Rescue 193. The coastguards were unable to assist with illumination due to the position of the casualty under the rocky overhang. This all made things a bit more tricky.

“The casualties were very appreciative of all the rescue services and commended us on our response. They acknowledged that it wasn’t the best idea to climb down to the sea.”

The men were part of a party of about thirty from Switzerland

This was the first shout for new probationary crew member George Fox.

Byline: A visit by Her Majesty The Queen to the RNLI lifeboat station at St Ives today (Friday 17 May 2013) also marked the official start of a special appeal by the charity. Page Content:

HM The Queen was accompanied by His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh and together the royal couple visited to meet the local RNLI team who uphold the charity’s tradition of saving lives at sea. The occasion coincided with the start of an appeal to raise funds towards the £1million cost of the launch and recovery vehicle for the new Shannon class all-weather lifeboat that it’s hoped will arrive in the town in late 2014.

At today’s visit the royal couple met the volunteer team who run the lifeboat station and their families and viewed the current lifeboats, the Mersey class all-weather lifeboat The Princess Royal and the D class inshore lifeboat Colin Bramley Parker.
They also met the volunteers who run the charity’s shop before unveiling a plaque to mark the visit.
 
Derek Hall is the volunteer RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager at St Ives;

‘We’re extremely honoured to have welcomed Her Majesty The Queen to our lifeboat station, especially as she is the RNLI’s Patron, and to be able to introduce her to the many volunteers who maintain the charity’s lifesaving tradition around the coast of
St Ives.  It’s a truly wonderful way of thanking the families of our volunteers too for their support and commitment.

‘Here at St Ives we are also launching a special appeal ahead of the arrival in late 2014 of a new 25-knot Shannon class all-weather lifeboat for St Ives to replace our current Mersey class lifeboat. We need to raise funds towards the £1million needed to fund the new lifeboat’s purpose built launch and recovery vehicle and this project begins in earnest right now as we head in to the 2013 summer season at St Ives.’

Paul Whiston is the volunteer RNLI Coxswain at St Ives:

‘To me it’s very fitting that our present Mersey class all-weather lifeboat is The Princess Royal and today we presented Her Majesty The Queen with a framed picture of the lifeboat in action at sea. This lifeboat has already given us 22 years of service and we are very proud of her.   However, the new Shannon class will offer improved speed and manoeuvrability thanks to updated design techniques and water jet propulsion. We just need to help raise the funds needed now for the launch and recovery vehicle.’

RNLI notes to editors
• The attached pictures are as follows:
*HM The Queen meets (from left to right) RNLI lifeboat crew volunteers Robin Langford (shaking hands), James Symons, Colin Jeffries, Barney Stevens, Jonathan Harvey, Scott Perkin and Rob Cocking (Mechanic) with volunteer Coxswain Paul Whiston accompanying her, as HRH The Duke of Edinburgh heads off with Derek Hall, volunteer RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager.  Credit RNLI/Nigel Millard.
*A portrait of Her Majesty The Queen, Patron of the RNLI. Credit RNLI/Nigel Millard.
*The team, volunteers and their families, at St Ives RNLI taken just after the royal visit. Credit RNLI/Nigel Millard.
*HM The Queen and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh receive a picture of the RNLI all-weather lifeboat based at St Ives, The Princess Royal, from William Perkin, son of crew volunteer Scott Perkin.  
• More are available on request from Tamsin – see contact details below.
• Last year the volunteer lifeboat crews at St Ives launched to emergencies 32 times, rescuing 32 people and spending 288 hours at sea.
• The St Ives RNLI Mersey class all-weather lifeboat The Princess Royal has been based in the harbour since 1990. In this time she has launched to 262 emergencies, and her volunteer crew have saved 17 lives and rescued 196 people. 

RNLI media contacts
For more information please contact Tamsin Thomas, RNLI Public Relations Manager south west, on 07786 668847 or email Tamsin_Thomas@rnli.org.uk

 

Byline: The St Ives RNLI lifeboat The Princess Royal was launched for the second time in three days following a call to the Coastguard from a local 32 foot fishing vessel with steering gear failure approximately five miles north of The Stones Page Content: The lifeboat was launched at 8:54 am with Coxswain Paul Whiston at the helm.  The volunteer lifeboat crew reached the vessel Silvery Sea at 9:30, and took her under tow back to St Ives, arriving at St Ives at 10:30.    After putting the fishing boat alongside Smeaton's Pier, the lifeboat was moored in the harbour and crew taken back to shore by local pleasure boat Dolly P who was about to take a group of visitors out for a pleasure trip. the lifeboat was then recovered at 12:30 before cleaning began in earnest ready for tomorrow's visit to the lifeboat station by Her Majesty the Queen and His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh.

Byline: On Monday afternoon (13 May) the skipper of the 60ft 200 ton Padstow netter Sparkling Line contacted Falmouth coastguard to report his trawler was in trouble. She had broken down and was disabled some 24 miles northwest of Land's End. Page Content:

The Sennen Cove RNLI Tamar class lifeboat City of London III was launched, with six volunteer lifeboat crew on board, to go to her assistance at 3.55 pm.  

The lifeboat arrived with the casualty at 5.15 pm and the volunteer crew set up a tow. The long haul to Newlyn began at 5.30 pm. In fact good speed was made, helped with favourable tides around Land's End. The lifeboat and casualty arrived safely at Newlyn at midnight.

Once the Sparkling Line was berthed, the City of London III returned to Sennen Cove and was recovered at 2.00 am.  A special mention should be made of the shorecrew, led by Brian Andrews, for turning out at such an early time to recover the lifeboat, as well as a tribute to the stamina of the six crew members after a 10 hour stint at sea

Media Contacts

For more information please contact Brian Simpson, RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer 01736 871 631/07762 057127 or bsennen @btinternet.com

Byline: This Friday, May 17, Ilfracombe is going yellow, in support of Ilfracombe RNLI’s £1 million appeal for its new launch and recovery vehicle, needed for the Shannon class all-weather lifeboat, due on station towards the end of 2014. Page Content: Businesses and individuals around Ilfracombe have pledged to go yellow for the day, to raise funds for the charity’s appeal. Local volunteer lifeboat crew members will be visiting as many of the businesses that are getting involved as possible, dressed in their “yellows”, the kit that helps to keep them warm, dry and protected when they are out saving lives at sea.

At the Corn Mill in Hele, members of the public will be able to support Yellow Day by enjoying a cream tea or a slice of cake, with a donation being made to Ilfracombe RNLI for each of these sold. At the Ilfracombe Aquarium, a quiz has been organised, which will run from Friday to Sunday, with all proceeds going to the appeal. They will also be selling yellow themed cakes and snacks for the weekend, donated by the staff.

The Ilfracombe Museum and Indoor Market will be holding yellow themed events to show their support, and anyone attending the Medical Centre will find staff in both Warwick and Waterside Practices wearing yellow for the day.

At Forestay, on the Promenade, anyone purchasing a yellow fleece will be supporting Ilfracombe RNLI, with £1 being given to the charity’s appeal for each fleece sold. The RNLI shop on Broad Street will be going yellow for the day also, and the Manor House Cafe in the High Street will generously be donating 10% of every customer spend on Friday to the fund.

In the High Street shops and businesses will be showing their colours with yellow themed window displays and collections being found all over, including at Goodenough Florist, Hairport, Jeffrey’s, Mark Adams Optometrist, Pedlars, Venners and Wilsons.

The Ilfracombe Academy will be having a non uniform day, for which the students and staff will be encouraged to wear yellow, on Thursday 16 May, due to exams being held on the day itself.

Volunteer Fundraising Chairman for Ilfracombe RNLI, Tony Gillam, is thrilled with the support being shown by the town;

‘We are absolutely delighted with the enthusiasm being shown for Yellow Day by the community. Ilfracombe always supports the RNLI, and this event is no exception – we have been completely blown away by all that people have been offering to do.’

Ilfracombe RNLI are raising funds towards the £1 million required for the launch and recovery vehicle that will be needed for their new Shannon class all-weather lifeboat, due to arrive on station towards the end of 2014, and replacing the current Mersey class all-weather lifeboat, the Spirit of Derbyshire.

RNLI notes to editors
• Please find attached a photograph of the prototype Shannon class all-weather lifeboat on the launch and recovery vehicle at Exmouth. Please credit RNLI/Nathan Williams.

RNLI media contacts
For more information please contact Suzie Tubby, volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer at Ilfracombe RNLI, on 07961 317088 or email Ilfracombe@rnli.org.uk  or call Tamsin Thomas, RNLI Public Relations Manager south west, on 07786 668847 or email Tamsin_Thomas@rnli.org.uk

Byline: St Ives volunteer RNLI lifeboat crew launched the station’s all weather Mersey class lifeboat The Princess Royal to reports of a life raft drifting a mile off Godrevy light house yesterday afternoon (Monday 13 May). Page Content:

The life raft was initially spotted by RNLI volunteer crew member, Barney Stevens who was on duty as part of the charity’s lifeguard team patrolling Gwithian beach. 

Barney contacted Falmouth coastguard who requested the lifeboat launch. Using Barney’s initial information along with further details from the National Coastwatch Institution who are based on the Island at St Ives and who had sight of the life raft, the lifeboat crew located it two nautical miles north of Godrevy lighthouse.

Paul Whiston, RNLI all weather lifeboat Coxswain at St Ives says;

‘As soon as we sighted the life raft, it was immediately obvious that there was no one inside. It was taken aboard the lifeboat and bought back to St Ives in good condition.  On arrival at the harbour, we were able to check the serial number and trace it to the motor vessel Cwind Athenia who had reported a life raft that had been lost over board off Lands End the day before (Sunday 12 May)’
 
Notes to Editors
• Please find attached an image of the St Ives RNLI crew with the life raft aboard the lifeboat, credit RNLI/St Ives
• Footage of the incident is available to view and download from the RNLI News Centre www.rnli.org.uk/press

RNLI media contacts
For more information please contact Amy Caldwell, RNLI Press Officer on 07920 818 807 or amy_caldwell@rnli.org.uk

Byline: A visit by Her Majesty The Queen to the RNLI lifeboat station at St Ives on Friday 17 May 2013 will also mark the official start of a special appeal by the charity. Page Content: HM The Queen will be accompanied by His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh and together the royal couple are visiting to meet the local RNLI team who uphold the charity’s tradition of saving lives at sea. The occasion coincides with the start of an appeal to raise funds towards the £1million cost of the launch and recovery vehicle for the new Shannon class all-weather lifeboat that it’s hoped will arrive in the town in late 2014.

The royal visit will start at 10.40am when Her Majesty The Queen will arrive at St Ives RNLI to meet the volunteer team who run the lifeboat station and their families. First the royal couple will view the current lifeboats, the Mersey class all-weather lifeboat The Princess Royal and the D class inshore lifeboat Colin Bramley Parker before heading inside the building for a private visit. The royal party will then meet the volunteers who run the charity’s shop before unveiling a plaque.
 
Derek Hall, volunteer RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager at St Ives, says the team are delighted to be welcoming the royal couple:

‘We’re extremely honoured to welcome Her Majesty The Queen to our lifeboat station, especially as she is the RNLI’s Patron, and to be able to introduce her to the many volunteers who maintain the charity’s lifesaving tradition around the coast of St Ives.  It’s a truly wonderful way of thanking the families of our volunteers too for their support and commitment.

‘Here at St Ives we are also launching a special appeal ahead of the arrival in late 2014 of a new 25-knot Shannon class all-weather lifeboat for St Ives to replace our current Mersey class lifeboat. We need to raise funds towards the £1million needed to fund the new lifeboat’s purpose built launch and recovery vehicle and this project begins in earnest right now as we head in to the 2013 summer season at St Ives.’

Paul Whiston is the volunteer RNLI Coxswain at St Ives:

‘To me it’s very fitting that our present Mersey class all-weather lifeboat is The Princess Royal and we will be presenting Her Majesty The Queen with a framed picture of the lifeboat in action at sea. This lifeboat has already given us 22 years of service and we are very proud of her.   However, the new Shannon class will offer improved speed and manoeuvrability thanks to updated design techniques and water jet propulsion. We just need to help raise the funds needed now for the launch and recovery vehicle.’

The St Ives RNLI volunteer crew, having received a quote for professional cleaning of the boathouse floors in preparation for the Royal visit, decided to carry out the task themselves on Saturday morning. This effectively saved the charity a four figure sum. Their efforts were supported very generously by local firm Travis Perkins who provided a hot pressure washer at a very reasonable rate. Crew volunteer George Deacon works for the company who have an outlet in St Ives.

RNLI notes to editors
• Attached is a shot of the launch and recovery system that will be used for the Shannon class all-weather lifeboat pictured during trials at Hayle in Cornwall.  Please credit RNLI/Simon Culliford.
• And a picture of the St Ives volunteers cleaning the boathouse in preparation for the Royal visit credit RNLI/St Ives
• Also attached is a media fact sheet about the Shannon class all-weather lifeboat that will eventually replace the present Mersey class lifeboat. Pictures of the Shannon are available from Tamsin – see contact details below.
• Further details about the St Ives RNLI appeal to raise funds towards the £1million cost of the launch and recovery vehicle can be obtained Guy Botterill, Community Fundraising Manager, on 07774 436265 or guy_botterill@rnli.org.uk   
• Last year the volunteer lifeboat crews at St Ives launched to emergencies 32 times, rescuing 32 people and spending 288 hours at sea.
• The St Ives RNLI Mersey class all-weather lifeboat The Princess Royal has been based in the harbour since 1990. In this time she has launched to 262 emergencies, and her volunteer crew have saved 17 lives and rescued 196 people. 

RNLI media contacts
For more information please contact Tamsin Thomas, RNLI Public Relations Manager south west, on 07786 668847 or email Tamsin_Thomas@rnli.org.uk or Amy Caldwell, RNLI Press Officer on 07920 818807 or amy_caldwell@rnli.org.uk  

Byline: Volunteers from the Exmouth Lifeboat Fundraising Team will be holding a cake bake sale on 26 May at the boathouse on Queens Drive. Page Content:

The event will raise money towards the cost of the launch and recovery vehicle for the Shannon class lifeboat due in 2014.

The charity’s team are inviting members of the public to join them put the ‘fun’ into fundraising for this this exciting event, held during the bank holiday weekend.

All cakes will need to be handed in at the Lifeboat station between 9am and 11am on the morning of 26 May. Judging will take place between 11am and 2pm, afterwards prizes will be awarded according to category. There will also be prizes awarded to creations especially made by children and men. A tea and cake sale will follow from 3pm onwards, open to entrants and non-entrants.

The categories are by cake type: Victoria sponge, lemon drizzle cake, fruit cake, plain scones, fruit scones and savoury scones. There will also be a prize for the best decorated cake. Entry is £3 for first item and £2 for further entries. Entry forms are available from the RNLI shop. Fundraising team secretary and organiser, Beryl Cole is looking forward to the event;

‘This is a great opportunity for all ‘cake bakers’ of all ages and genders to get involved. We hope people will come along not only to enter their cakes, but also to see the wonderful cake display and enjoy eating some cake with a cup of tea/coffee with us.’

Notes to Editors:
Exmouth RNLI has been operating since 1858.  To learn more about the lifeboat stations past and present go to www.exmouth-lifeboat.org.uk
 
RNLI media contacts
Emma Tarling, RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer 07837 810082 or emmatarling@ymail.com. 

Byline: Two teenage girls were saved by lifeguards from Sedgewell Cove when the pair got swept out to sea in strong currents today (Sunday 12 May). Page Content:

Earlier in the weekend lifeguards at neighbouring Bantham beach rescued a kitesurfer stranded when the wind dropped and the tide came in.

On Sunday the 12 May at around 1.40pm, RNLI lifeguards at Sedgewell Cove used rescue boards to help two swimmers in difficulty in the river Avon. Both swimmers, aged 13 were paddling in the shallows when they got swept into the stronger currents in the river and could not return to shore.

RNLI lifeguard Lizzy Rudd noticed the father of the two girls running along the shore and Lizzy, with Senior RNLI lifeguard Chris Rampling, reacted immediately. They grabbed rescue boards and jumped into the water to help the two girls.

When the lifeguards reached the swimmers, the girls were clearly distressed and exhausted and the pair were returned safely to shore where they were assessed and monitored for shock.

Chris Rampling senior lifeguard stated "Had it not been for the quick actions of the RNLI lifeguards the outcome may have been very different. It all happened so fast, we did not even have time to put on our wetsuits. Thankfully the training the RNLI provides us is of a very high standard and allows us to deal with such situations when they arise."

Simon Crayfourd, RNLI Lifeguard Manager, said: "The water can be deceptive and strong currents can be difficult to spot. We want everyone to enjoy their time at the coast and would encourage people to go to a lifeguarded beach."

Earlier in the weekend, a kitesurfer had become stranded in a nearby cove when he'd ventured into the sheltered waters of ther river Avon. With the tide coming in and no wind to power his kite, lifeguards from Bantham beach launched their inshore rescue boat with Chris Rampling at the helm and Ivan Burton as crew.

The pair reached the kitesurfer and took him and his kite back to Sedgewell Cove where he had launched from earlier in the day.

Byline: RNLI lifeguards used their lifesaving skills to help a kitsurfer who was hurt when he was blown across a road near Sandbanks, Poole, yesterday (11 May). Page Content:

A kitesurfer was injured when he was dragged across Shore Road by his kite in Poole Harbour.

A member of the public ran to the  lifeguard tower on the other side of the peninsular and alerted the lifeguards.

One of the lifeguards ran back to the kitesurfer and, once the beach was covered, a second lifeguard joined him. They were also joined by an RNLI lifeguard supervisor.

All three gave the kitesurfer first aid and were helped by the police and ambulance services who arrived on the scene soon afterwards.

The kitesurfer was taken to hospital.

Byline: Poole RNLI lifeboats were launched this morning in rough conditions just before 08.00am, Saturday May 11, they were requested to launch by Portland Coastguard to a report of 42ft yacht that had encountered engine and steering failure Page Content:

A 42 ft yacht with four people on-board was on passage from Gosport to Plymouth and was unable to sail without steering.

The yacht had radioed the Coastguard for assistance, as all the crew were feeling unwell, the position they had given was reported to be 4 miles out of Poole Harbour as the lifeboats made their way towards the stricken vessel; the true position was 4 miles west of the Needles off  the Isle of Wight.

The Poole inshore lifeboat was first on scene and transferred two volunteer crew onto the yacht to assess the situation, the Poole all-weather lifeboat arrived some fifteen minutes behind them and transferred a third crew member across onto the yacht.

The other crew on board the vessel set to, trying to recover the anchor and rig up emergency steering the conditions were moderate to rough with winds south westerly 5 – 6.

Despite the lifeboat crew’s best efforts the anchor could not be recovered at that time, with the sea conditions and risks involved, a decision was made to fender the anchor off and let it all go, to look after the yacht and people on-board.

A towline was connected and the all-weather lifeboat took the vessel under tow, by the now the tide was flooding and it would have been a nine mile steady plod in rough conditions back to Poole.  Portland Coastguard requested that Yarmouth all-weather lifeboat launch to come and take the vessel back to Yarmouth.

The Yarmouth lifeboat arrived on scene and the volunteer crew successfully recovered the anchor, meanwhile the Poole inshore lifeboat transferred one of the people off the yacht who was suffering with sea sickness, across onto the Yarmouth lifeboat where they were made comfortable, then a Yarmouth crewman was put on-board the yacht and the Poole crew reassigned back to the Poole lifeboats.

The Yarmouth lifeboat then took over the tow and proceeded to take the yacht back into Yarmouth, both Poole lifeboats headed home when all was safe and job done.

Volunteer deputy Coxswain Glen Mallen said; ‘Conditions out there were definitely challenging, mindful of the individuals on-board and the worsening conditions, we decided to cut the anchor and get immediately under tow, back to safety’.

RNLI notes to editors 

Photographs
 'Volunteers from Poole RNLI help stricken vessel' credit Poole RNLI

RNLI contacts

For more information please contact Anne-Marie Clark, volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer at Poole lifeboat station on 07887 855073 or email jclark14@sky.com or Tamsin Thomas, RNLI Public Relations Manager south west, on 07786 668847 or email Tamsin_Thomas@rnli.org.uk

Byline: Fowey RNLI volunteers were called out on Wednesday 8 May after two holidaymakers who had hired open sit-on kayaks for the day were caught out by the unsuitable sea conditions. Page Content:

One man capsized and unable to recover his kayak he then drifted through the mussel farm at Porthpean clinging to the second kayak.

The people were difficult to locate due to the number of buoys in the area and the bright sunlight.  They had drifted a mile from shore in a south westerly force three with a slight swell.

RNLI volunteer Coxswain Jonathan Pritchard said;

‘They were extremely lucky to be found at all.  One man’s mobile phone worked briefly after getting wet and there were able to give rough details to the Coastguard.  No-one would have seen them otherwise.’

The lifeboat crew delivered the men to a waiting ambulance at the Pilot’s Pontoon in Fowey.

There is one kayak missing, believed to be a new yellow and orange Perception open sit-on kayak with Scooter written on the back.  If found please ring the Coastguard on 01803 882704.

The lifeboat was back on station at 5pm ready for service.

RNLI media contacts
For more information please contact Cath Ellis, volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for Fowey RNLI on 07969 693218.  Other RNLI media contacts include Tamsin Thomas, RNLI Public Relations Manager, on 07786 668847 or email Tamsin_Thomas@rnli.org.uk For urgent calls out of hours please contact the Duty RNLI Press Officer on 01202 336789.   

Byline: The volunteer team at Bude RNLI lifeboat station will be holding a formal naming ceremony and service of dedication for their new D class inshore lifeboat George Bird on Saturday 18 May 2013. Page Content:

Event:  Bude RNLI lifeboat naming ceremony  

Venue: Bude RNLI lifeboat station, Summerleaze Beach car park, Bude, EX23 8HN.

Date/time: 11am on Saturday 18 May 2013

The event will be hosted at the lifeboat station where the donor of the lifeboat, Mrs Patricia Bird from Kent will name the new lifeboat in memory of her husband.  The event coincides with the 50th anniversary of these extraordinary lifeboats being placed on service by the RNLI.  

Chris Cloke is the RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager at Bude:

‘It’s always a very special occasion when we welcome a new lifeboat to a station and we are delighted that Mrs Bird will be here to perform the naming. We’re very pleased with the D class she has generously provided us with and look forward to celebrating the arrival of George Bird in style at this special event.’

‘We are also using the occasion to remind people of the importance to our charity of volunteers. We urgently need to find new helpers and supporters, including recruits for the crew and people who can help with our fundraising events. We hope this ceremony will illustrate the importance of our work saving lives at sea, and persuade people that there’s a lot of fun to be had as part of a local RNLI team.’

George Bird replaces the station’s former D class inshore lifeboat Henry Philip that was on station from 2004 to 2012. During this time the lifeboat launched 69 times and rescued 29 people.

The event will start at 11am and run through a set order as follows:

1. National Anthem.
2. Paul Finn, Chairman of the Lifeboat Management Group, welcomes the guests and opens the proceedings.
3. Mrs Bird hands over the lifeboat to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.
4. Howard Ramm, RNLI Head of Operations (Lifesaving Delivery), accepts the lifeboat on behalf of the RNLI and hands her over to the care of the lifeboat station.  
5. Chris Cloke, RNLI Bude Lifeboat Operations Manager, accepts the lifeboat on behalf of the lifeboat station.
6. Reverend Barnes leads the service of dedication.
7. Tom Mansell, RNLI Divisional Operations Manager, gives a vote of thanks and invites Mrs Bird to name the lifeboat George Bird.
8. Tom Mansell closes the proceedings.
9. The lifeboat launches (weather permitting).

Notes to editors
• You, or a representative, are invited to attend the naming ceremony on Saturday 18 May. Please report to Tamsin Thomas (07786 668847) outside the lifeboat station by 10.30am.
• Please find attached a picture of Bude RNLI’s new D class inshore lifeboat George Bird at sea. Please credit Peter Jeffery/Widemouth Bay.
• Since 1963 the D class has become the workhorse of the charity, being highly manoeuvrable, able to work close inshore in shallow water, broken surf and areas that other lifeboats in the fleet could not operate. D class lifeboats have accounted for 30% of all RNLI launches, and the D class lifeboat accounts for 48% of all inshore lifeboat launches.  The D class has been constantly refined and improved with many of the changes being suggested and trialled by volunteer crew members before being incorporated into the evolving design. The latest version was first produced in 2003 and incorporates the use of modern lightweight composite materials rather than timber, updated navigation and communications systems, and a more powerful outboard motor to improve acceleration and give a maximum speed of 25 knots.

RNLI media contacts
For more information please contact Tamsin Thomas, RNLI Public Relations Manager south west, on 07786 668847 or email Tamsin_Thomas@rnli.org.uk

Byline: Ocean Magic with her crew of four had broken down and been drifting a mile east south east of the Dodman when Brixham Coastguard requested the launch of the RNLI Trent class all-weather lifeboat Maurice and Joyce Hardy (Bank Holiday Monday 6 May 2013). Page Content:

It took 25 minutes for the RNLI crew volunteers to reach the yacht which, due to the thick fog with visibility down to 50 metres, was located by RDF (radio direction finder) and radar.  Everyone on board was fine and the yacht was towed back to Fowey, taking a further 1 ½ hours at 6 knots.

The people rescued said the engine had just stopped and then the wind had died leaving them no choice but to call for help.  One crew said, ‘They do a fantastic job, it leaves you speechless.  The professionalism is amazing.’

The convoy reached the harbour entrance at 11.15pm and the lifeboat was ready for further service by 11.30pm.

RNLI media contacts
For more information please contact Cath Ellis, volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for Fowey RNLI on 07969 693218.  Other RNLI media contacts include Tamsin Thomas, RNLI Public Relations Manager, on 07786 668847 or email Tamsin_Thomas@rnli.org.uk For urgent calls out of hours please contact the Duty RNLI Press Officer on 01202 336789.   

Byline: Wave of success! The RNLI congratulates British Olympic medal winning sailors Page Content:

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution wishes to congratulate Team GB’s Olympic sailors on their medal-winning victories at the Beijing Olympics.

Sarah Ayton, Sarah Webb and Pippa Wilson won gold in the Yngling class. They are keen RNLI supporters and are pictured onboard Weymouth’s RNLI Severn class lifeboat, giving their seal of approval to a set of Royal Mail ‘Mayday – Rescue at Sea’ stamps that went on sale in March this year.

Ben Ainslie took his third Olympic gold in a row in the Finn class, while Nick Rogers and Joe Glanfield have just won their second successive silver medal in the 470 (men’s two-person dinghy). With medal races still to come in the men’s and women’s Laser (one person dinghy), Tornado (mulithull), Star (men’s keelboat) and men’s and women’s RSX (windsurfer) it’s likely there will be more sailing medals to add to Team GB’s excellent results.

RNLI volunteer lifeboat crews, fundraisers and staff congratulate all the Team GB sailors on their fantastic results. It’s hoped their wave of medal-winning success will continue at the London 2012 Olympics, when the competition will be held on the waters of Weymouth Bay and Portland Harbour off the Dorset Coast.

Notes to editors
· Photo captions:
· Image 10 - (left to right) Pippa Wilson, Sarah Webb (centre) and Sarah Ayton pictured with RNLI volunteer lifeboat crew from Weymouth lifeboat station
· Image 14 - (left to right) Pippa Wilson, Sarah Ayton and Sarah Webb

RNLI media contacts
For more information please telephone Katie Wilton, RNLI Public Relations Officer on 01202 336789 or kwilton@rnli.org.uk / pressoffice@rnli.org.uk

RNLI online
For more information on the RNLI please visit www.rnli.org.uk. News releases and other media resources, including RSS feeds, downloadable photos and video, are available at the RNLI Press Centre www.rnli.org.uk/press

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 over 230 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and has more than 100 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK. 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 137,000 lives. The RNLI is a charity registered in England, Scotland and the Republic of Ireland.