Byline: Night search after empty boat seen under power in Dart harbour Page Content:

RNLI lifeboats and a Search and Rescue helicopter from Chivenor searched the River Dart as mobile Coastguard teams from Dartmouth and Berry Head searched the shoreline after an unattended boat was seen circling between the Lower ferry slips at 1.30am.

The Police reported to the Coastguard that a boat with nobody on board had been seen going round in circles between the two Lower Ferry slips. The boat was a 14ft open boat with an outboard, normally moored in Bayard’s Cove. The owner was located on shore and all those who should have had access to it have been contacted. The Dart inshore lifeboat was tasked to search the River Dart between Bayard’s Cove and Castle Cove, including Warfleet Creek. They were supplemented by an additional shore boat, also manned by RNLI lifeboat crew. The All Weather Lifeboat from Torbay was on scene by 2.45am and launched their Y boat as an additional search vessel. The shore and river banks were searched by mobile Coastguard teams from Berry Head and Dartmouth. Rescue Helicopter 169 joined the search at 2.55am. The river was swept more than once in both directions by the boats and helicopter and no casualty was found. The Helicopter returned to station at 3.54am and the ALB returned to Torbay at 4.00am. The ILB accompanied a boat unconnected to the incident back to it's mooring in Old Mill Creek before returning to the Lifeboat Station.

Loyd Turner, the helmsman of the Dart Inshore Lifeboat, said that it had been a well co-ordinated search, with the helm of the Torbay All Weather lifeboat controlling it on the scene: 'If there had been anyone still on the surface of the water we would have expected to have seen them.'

Notes to editors

Dart lifeboat station has been operating since November 2007 To learn more about the lifeboat station go to www.dartmouth-lifeboat.org.uk

RNLI media contacts

For more information please telephone John Fenton, RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 01803 770761 or 07970 921504 or jsfdart@tiscali.co.uk or Tamsin Thomas, Media Relations Manager on 0778 666 8847 or contact RNLI Public Relations on 01202 336789

Byline: Queensferry RNLI called to medical emergency Page Content:

At 7.30pm the RNLI Queensferry lifeboat was on exercise in Firth of Forth when the Coastguard redirected the crew to assist a seaman who needed urgent medical attention.

The Queensferry lifeboat battled through a three metre swell and force 5 winds to reach a bulk carrier the Petr Velikiy anchored in Aberlady Bay and managed to get alongside the ship just as the Rescue Helicopter 177 from Prestwick arrived on the scene. The Helicopter took over and airlifted the seaman to Hospital and the Lifeboat returned to the Lifeboat Station at South Queensferry.

RNLI media contacts

For further information, please contact Queensferry RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer Hamish Campbell on 01313 312201.

Byline: The Lizard RNLi lifeboat launches to aid stricken gas tanker Page Content:

The Lizard Lifeboat launched into heavy seas this morning to the aid of the stricken Panamanian gas tanker Antigoni, adrift with macninery failure and struggling to anchor in a position 1.5 miles south east of Lizard Point.

Upon arrival on scene, the lifeboat, under the command of Coxswain Phil Burgess, was ordered to stand by the casualty whilst repairs aboard were being carried out to get her safely underway once again.

Falmouth Coastguard also tasked the MCA tug Anglian Princess and a locally based Dutch tug to the proceed to the scene, to render assistance if required.

The casualty was ordered to abort anchoring in the area, as a snagging hazard with seabed telecommunications cables was likely.

Once the coastguard had assessed the casualty was drifting in a safe direction, away from the coastline, and with the two tugs in company to assist if required, The Lizard lifeboat was released to return back to her base at Kilcobben Cove.

RNLI media contacts

for further information, please contact The Lizard Lifeboat Press Officer Clare Julier on 01326 290974 or 01326 290532 or 07814 313404.

Byline: The Lizard RNLi lifeboat launches to aid stricken gas tanker Page Content:

The Lizard Lifeboat launched into heavy seas this morning to the aid of the stricken Panamanian gas tanker Antigoni, adrift with macninery failure and struggling to anchor in a position 1.5 miles south east of Lizard Point.

Upon arrival on scene, the lifeboat, under the command of Coxswain Phil Burgess, was ordered to stand by the casualty whilst repairs aboard were being carried out to get her safely underway once again.

Falmouth Coastguard also tasked the MCA tug Anglian Princess and a locally based Dutch tug to the proceed to the scene, to render assistance if required.

The casualty was ordered to abort anchoring in the area, as a snagging hazard with seabed telecommunications cables was likely.

Once the coastguard had assessed the casualty was drifting in a safe direction, away from the coastline, and with the two tugs in company to assist if required, The Lizard lifeboat was released to return back to her base at Kilcobben Cove.

RNLI media contacts

for further information, please contact The Lizard Lifeboat Press Officer Clare Julier on 01326 290974 or 01326 290532 or 07814 313404.

Byline: Major sea search for people reported to have leapt from Cherbourg to Poole ferry Page Content:

Poole’s all-weather RNLI lifeboat was requested to launch by the Coastguard at 1am when a report came through that people had jumped from the ferry.

The weather conditions were horrendous with squalls and gusts of wind up to 50 knots. The Swanage RNLI all-weather lifeboat was also launched and an extensive search of Poole bay began.

Both lifeboats worked together alongside the Coastguard search and rescue helicopter from Lee-on-Solent. When the weather eased slightly, the Poole RNLI inshore lifeboat was launched to search the inside of the harbour. 

Chain ferry operators alerted the police after a man in soaking wet clothes attempted to board the chain ferry. The man was taken to Poole Hospital for treatment. It was then discovered that there were possibly three other people in the water.

Volunteer Coxswain Jonathan Clark said: “It was blowing hard and sea conditions were appalling with squalls of up to 50 knots blowing through.”

After searching Poole bay and the harbour all night, the lifeboats were stood down at 5am. Volunteer crew have returned to the station.

Notes to editors

• Poole lifeboat station has been operating since 1865. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to www.poolelifeboat.co.uk

RNLI media contacts

For more information please telephone RNLI Public Relations on 01202 336789 or email pressoffice@rnli.org.uk

Byline: Major sea search for people reported to have leapt from Cherbourg to Poole ferry Page Content:

Poole’s all-weather RNLI lifeboat was requested to launch by the Coastguard at 1am when a report came through that people had jumped from the ferry.

The weather conditions were horrendous with squalls and gusts of wind up to 50 knots. The Swanage RNLI all-weather lifeboat was also launched and an extensive search of Poole bay began.

Both lifeboats worked together alongside the Coastguard search and rescue helicopter from Lee-on-Solent. When the weather eased slightly, the Poole RNLI inshore lifeboat was launched to search the inside of the harbour. 

Chain ferry operators alerted the police after a man in soaking wet clothes attempted to board the chain ferry. The man was taken to Poole Hospital for treatment. It was then discovered that there were possibly three other people in the water.

Volunteer Coxswain Jonathan Clark said: “It was blowing hard and sea conditions were appalling with squalls of up to 50 knots blowing through.”

After searching Poole bay and the harbour all night, the lifeboats were stood down at 5am. Volunteer crew have returned to the station.

Notes to editors

• Poole lifeboat station has been operating since 1865. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to www.poolelifeboat.co.uk

RNLI media contacts

For more information please telephone RNLI Public Relations on 01202 336789 or email pressoffice@rnli.org.uk

Byline: Christmas Lights in aid of the RNLI Page Content:

There will be a display of Christmas Lights at the home of an RNLI supporter on Sunday 13th December at 25 Shaftesbury Road, Weston-super-Mare, near the bottom of Ashcombe Park.

Leon Beckingham has built an impressive display of Christmas lights on his house and gardens over many years. Each year he has a special day when the lights are shown in aid of a charity which he supports. This year it is the RNLI which is the charity that saves life at sea. The money raised will go to supporting the work of the RNLI which is entirely dependent on voluntary contributions and whose lifeboat crews are volunteers.

Mr Beckingham said: 'I have been doing the lights for about six years and have raised about £1000 for different charities including children's Hospice South West and Clic Sergeant. This year I choose the RNLI because it’s a service I could not do. I admire all those people who everyday put their lives at risk each time they enter the sea (I don't like water) and the increased awareness will help keep donations for them to survive and save many. '

Please support our Christmas Light display .on Sunday 13th December at 25 Shaftesbury Road, W-s-M. near the bottom of Ashcombe Park. Collection to take place all day and early evening.

RNLI media contacts

For further information, please contact Weston-super-Mare Assistant RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer Glyn Hayes on 07774 181418 or glyn.hayes@bcs.org

Byline: Cornish RNLI lifeboat swaps Sennen Cove for the River Thames for special city fundraisers’ reception Page Content:

The volunteer crew of Cornwall’s Sennen Cove RNLI lifeboat station met with fundraisers who helped pay for their new lifeboat at a special reception in the City of London yesterday (November 25)

Lifeboat men from Sennen Cove swapped the coastal panoramas of their native county for the iconic London city skyline when they sailed up the River Thames to meet fundraisers from the City of London Committee.

The event gave members of the committee the opportunity to see the Tamar class lifeboat, City of London III, which they collectively contributed more than £1M towards. The special reception was held at the Royal Naval Reserves’ HMS President, near Tower Bridge. Among the guests were Alderman Nick Anstee, the Lord Mayor of the City of London, as well as Paul Boissier, Chief Executive of the RNLI, Michael Vlasto, the charity's Operations Director, and Tony Vlasto, Chairman of the City of London Committee.

Speaking to guests and volunteer lifeboat crew members, Tony Vlasto, said: ‘It seems like an age since 2004 when we started the City Of London III appeal. The proof, if any were needed, that it was worthwhile and appreciated, is there for all to see moored up today, and on the smiling faces of our friends from Sennen Cove.

‘The purpose of the reception was to say thank you to all those who made this new Tamar lifeboat possible. Thank you from me personally. Thank you from the RNLI City of London Committee, thank you from the Sennen Cove coxswain, Terry George, and all our friends from Sennen Cove, who themselves have done so much for the appeal. And thank you from the RNLI in general.’

Terry George, RNLI Coxswain at Sennen Cove, said the maiden voyage in their new lifeboat was an experience they will never forget: ‘We sailed up the Thames in the dark on Tuesday evening, which I don’t think any of us were prepared for. Seeing all those lights, Canary Wharf, the Millennium Dome, Tower Bridge - it was a great experience.

‘To sail up the capital’s river amid buildings and bridges is a different concept for us – as you can imagine it is markedly different to what we’re used to in Sennen Cove. Then to have the opportunity to see and thank all those who helped raise the money was great. I was involved from the start of the appeal in 2004 and on a personal level it’s been really interesting and enjoyable working with the City of London Committee. We feel we‘ve made an awful lot of friends and we’ll make sure they get a warm welcome at Sennen Cove whenever they turn up.’

Terry continued: ‘Our old Tyne class lifeboat, Norman Salveson was on the quay at Poole when we left and she was looking a bit forlorn. We’re sad to see her go but we move with the times and our new Tamar, the City Of London III, will allow us to offer a better service in saving lives at sea.’

It is hoped the City of London III will go on operational duty at Sennen Cove sometime before Christmas. City of London III is completing her final trials before arriving at Sennen Cove where she will take over from the relief Tamar, Edward and Barbara Prigmore. The station's Tyne class lifeboat, Norman Salvesen, left the station following the completion of two new slipways that have been purpose built for the Tamar. The work was completed during the summer and early autumn months when the weather was settled.

RNLI media contacts

For more information please contact Tim Ash, Divisional Media Relations Manager (South East and London) on 01825 747727 or 07785 296252, email tash@rnli.org.uk or contact RNLI Public Relations on 01202 336789

Byline: Sunderland RNLI assist police in recovering casualty from River Wear Page Content:

Volunteers from Sunderland RNLI lifeboat station were among the emergency services alerted yesterday, 25 November after a member of the public reported seeing a person floating in the River Wear.

Shortly before 9.30am Northumbria police received an emergency telephone call from a member of the public who reported what they believed to be a person floating in the River Wear close to Liebherr Cranes. Northumbria police immediately passed the information onto Humber Coastguard, who requested the launch of Sunderland RNLI’s Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat Wolseley along with the Coastguard rescue team from Sunderland.

The lifeboat launched under the command of Helmsman Ian Rowan and quickly located the person floating in the river close to the ex Cornhill’s Dock entrance, opposite Liebherr Cranes.

Anthony Jobling, Crew Member at Sunderland RNLI said:

‘Sadly it quickly became apparent that this person had been in the water for an excessive period of time. To allow police to carry out the necessary investigations, we were asked to stand by in the area until the marine police arrived.’

Once the police investigations were complete, the person was recovered from the water onto the lifeboat jointly by RNLI volunteers and marine police officers. Once onboard the person was taken to the RNLI lifeboat station at Sunderland Marina.

Anthony added:

‘Our volunteers worked alongside the marine police officers to ensure that the correct procedures were followed. Incidents like this are difficult for our volunteers to deal with, but it is something that they are trained for, to ensure that the task is carried out in a safe and respectful manner.’

As a registered charity, the RNLI relies on voluntary donations and legacies from the public for its income.

RNLI media contacts

For more information please contact Paul Nicholson, Sunderland RNLI Press Officer on 07957 494077 or pauldnich@yahoo.co.uk or Anthony Jobling, Sunderland RNLI Assistant Press Officer on 07977 152399 or anthonyjobling@sky.com or as an alternative please contact Alison Levett, Media Relations Manager North on 07786 668912 or alevett@rnli.org.uk or RNLI Headquarters Public Relations on 01202 336000.

Byline: The South Weston Community Association says farewell with a generous donation to the RNLI Page Content:

To mark its closure, the South Weston Community Association has raised £300 in aid of the RNLI after hosting a fundraising concert.
The donation was presented by its president, Councillor Bob Bateman, to the local RNLI lifeboat station after the event, which benefited from music, courtesy of The Age and Re-Offender, and beer from the Captain’s Cabin.

The South Weston Community Association has been a volunteer organisation since 1974. It offered a lunch club for the elderly. It also ran the Parkside Community Café in the Bournville area of Weston offering healthy and affordable meals.

South Weston Community Association’s aim was to promote health and wellbeing, encourage social interaction and engagement within the community but, due to the economic slowdown, funds have not been available to the Association so it has been forced to wind-up its activities.


Notes to editors:
The picture shows Councillor Bob Bateman handing the cheque to Pete Holder, Lifeboat Operations Manager. Birnbeck Island lifeboat station is seen in the background.

RNLI media contactsFor further information, please contact Weston-super-Mare Assistant RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer Glyn Hayes on 07774 181418 or glyn.hayes@bcs.org

Lifeboats in service at Weston-super-Mare are the Atlantic 75 class Lifeboat, named 'Coventry and Warwickshire' and the D-Class Lifeboat named Anna Stock. The station was established in 1882 at the request of the local inhabitants and moved into its current boathouse in 1902. To find out more information about Weston-super-Mare lifeboat and for recent events, please log onto our website at www.westonrnli.org.uk.

Byline: RNLI teams show Fan‘tash’tic support Page Content:

A team from the RNLI charity headquarters in Poole have ditched the razors and have been growing moustaches for the last month in the name of men’s health.

Movemeber is an annual month-long event involving the growing of moustaches during the month of November aimed to raise awareness and funds for men’s health issues. The RNLI relies on its volunteers both men and women being fit and healthy to save lives at sea and it was this that inspired a group of men from the charity's lifeguard and engineering departments to get involved and support the cause.

RNLI Beach safety programmes Manager Ross MacLeod says:

‘Movember at the RNLI has been a great success and a fun way to raise awareness of men's health issues like prostate cancer. I'd like to thank all the “mo bro's” from the RNLI engineering and lifeguard departments who between them raised nearly £1500. If our moustaches have helped even just one person it will have been worth the itching and strange looks on the high street!’

Byline: Stromness RNLI Lifeboat goes to the aid of local creel boat Page Content:

The Stromness RNLI all weather lifeboat was launched at 1:40 pm to go to the assistance of the local creel boat Shalimar, with three people onboard. The Shalimar reported experiencing mechanical difficulties.

 

After arriving on the scene, the Stromness lifeboat took the Shalimar under tow and arrived back in Stromness Harbour at 2:50 pm.

 

 

 

Notes to editors.

• Stromness lifeboat station has been operating since 1867. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to www.orkney.com/stromnesslifeboat  
• A video of the Severn Class lifeboat can be viewed at http://www.rnli.org.uk/who_we_are/press_centre/videos/video_detail?articleid=321818&category=&region=&listing=
• A photo of Stromness’s Severn lifeboat can be viewed at http://www.rnli.org.uk/who_we_are/press_centre/photos/photo_detail?articleid=354060  

 

RNLI media contacts.

For more information please contact:

Tim Barthorpe, Stromness Lifeboat Station Volunteer Press Officer

Telephone: 01856 850258 or email tim@barthorpe.me.uk  

or

Rachel Martin, Media Relations Manager Scotland

Telephone: 07786 668903 or email ramartin@rnli.org.uk  

or

Contact RNLI Public Relations on 01202 336789 or email pressoffice@rnli.org.uk  

Byline: Cowes RNLI lifeboat races to aid of dismasted yacht Page Content:

Any thought by Cowes RNLI lifeboat crew enjoying a reviving hot drink after exercising with their Atlantic 85 in a choppy and rain-swept Solent yesterday (Sunday) morning had to be hurriedly put on hold when they suddenly learned that a racing yacht was in trouble.

The yacht, the 36 foot Hamble based Extra Djinn, with nine people on board, reported it had suffered a dismasting north of Osborne Bay as a result of a sudden squall. It was drifting, with the mast, boom and rigging hanging over the starboard side.

The Cowes crew, led by helmsman Simon Hawkins, had shortly before returned to their base at Shepards Wharf. They lost no time in putting their plans in reverse.

When eventually the lifeboat came alongside the Extra Djinn it was found, however, that the yacht crew had already managed to cut the mast, boom and rigging free of the boat. As a precaution, lifeboatman Richard O’Callaghan was briefly put aboard to check no-one had been hurt and the yacht had not been holed.

Before returning to Cowes the lifeboat arranged for Calshot RNLI lifeboat to escort the yacht, then under power, back to Hamble.

“Apparently the yacht was taking part in the very last race of the year,” said Richard. “After the dismasting the crew was worried that if they started the engine the loose rigging might foul the propeller. And it was quite lumpy out there.”

Byline: Peel RNLI lifeboat goes to assistance of RIB Page Content:

Peel lifeboat was launched yesterday, Saturday 28 November, at 4pm to give assistance to a rigid inflatable boat that had broken down with clutch failure.

The five metre RIB with two people on board had broken down 11.5 miles north of Peel with suspected clutch failure. The RIB, on passage from Portaferry to Peel, had two people onboard. The lifeboat, with Coxswain John Hunter at the helm, left Peel with his volunteer crew, recovered the boat and towed it back to Peel, returning at 7.30pm. The rescue was carried out in fair conditions and both passengers were returned unharmed.

RNLI media contacts

For more information please Malcolm Kelly, RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer at Peel on 01624 842731 or 490251. Alternatively, please contact Danielle Rush, RNLI Media Relations Manager for the West on 01745 585162 or 07786 668829 or the RNLI Public Relations on 01202 336789

Byline: Disabled French fishing vessel towed into Scapa Flow Page Content:

Kirkwall RNLI Lifeboat has towed French fishing vessel Sylvanna into Scapa Flow and passed the tow over to local tug Harald.

Shetland Coastguard (SCG) called Kirkwall Lifeboat Operations Manager (LOM) Chris Irvine at 7.39am to advise him that a 33 metre Fishing vessel, 6 miles northwest of the Brough of Birsay, with a 14 crew members aboard had reported engine failure and requested assistance.

The crew were paged for Launch and mustered at the Lifeboat station. Kirkwall lifeboat Margaret Foster departed at 7.53am with second cox Stewart Ryrie and five more volunteer crew aboard, passing through Eynhallow Sound on route, arriving at the Casualty an hour later at 8.35am. The conditions on scene were a slight sea with a moderate two metre swell running. A tow-line was rigged and at 9.18am the lifeboat commenced the tow toward Kirkwall, however at 9.40am SCG requested they alter course and tow toward Stromness.

At 1.08pm the lifeboat was in Hoy Mouth and with arrangements having been made for a commercial tug to take over the tow she proceeded in toward the Bring Deeps. At 1.22pm the tow was passed to Orkney Islands Council, Marine Services tug Harald. The Lifeboat was released and returned to Kirkwall, arriving back at station at 4.35pm and was refuelled, ready for service again by 4.55pm.

This is the 17th callout for Kirkwall RNLI Lifeboat this year.

RNLI media contacts

For more information please telephone Graeme Smith, RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 08730071968 or Kirkwall@fsmail.net or Rachel Martin Media Relations Manager Scotland on 07786 668903 or ramartin@rnli.org.uk or contact RNLI Public Relations on 01202 336789

Byline: Rain did not stop Prancer, Dancer or Blitzen on the RNLI Reindeer Run in Dorset Page Content:

RNLI volunteers cheered on over 600 runners who hot-hooved it through the mud and braved the elements to support the RNLI at this year’s Reindeer Run at Moors Valley Park.

Poole RNLI fundraising group and hardy volunteers from local RNLI fundraising groups in the area all braved the elements to help marshall the annual 10 km Reindeer Run today.

Poole RNLI lifeboat station volunteer Coxswain Jon Clark said: ‘We were out in Poole Bay on exercise this morning in horrible conditions, we were thinking of them and thank them for turning out.’

He added: ‘We are a charity and without the support from the public like this, well, we would not be here.’

Whilst on exercise the lifeboats were tasked by Portland Coastguard to investgate ‘something in the water’ off Alum Chine, nothing untoward was found.

You can support the Poole lifeboat crew by purchasing Christmas cards from the Old Lifeboat Musuem at the end of the Quay. It’s open for another week and there is a good selection of Christmas cards, calenders and lots of stocking fillers. A percentage of sales goes directly to funding your local lifeboats.

Poole lifeboat station is set for a record year with over 185 shouts so far this year, volunteer crew will be on duty throughout the festive season.

Notes to editors

Poole lifeboat station has been operating since 1865. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to www.poolelifeboat.co.uk

Picture captions

• Reindeer Run 1: Runners help raise money for the RNLI at Moors Valley.
• Reindeer Run 2: Runners get into the festive spirit to raise money for the RNLI.
• Reindeer Run 3: Rookie the RNLI reindeer and volunteer marshal Lily Clark.
• Reindeer Run 4: Lily and Philip at their post in the woods.

 RNLI media contacts

For more information please contact Anne-Marie Clark, RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07799 262214 or jclark14@sky.com Alternatively contact Tamsin Thomas, Divisional Media Relations Manager South West on 01752 850663 or 07786 668847 or by email at tamsin_thomas@rnli.org.uk

Byline: Busy weekend for RNLI Calshot Page Content:

The Calshot RNLI lifeboats were called out three times this weekend – once on Saturday 28 November, when both boats were needed to assist a grounded yacht on the Brambles Bank, and to two separate incidents on Sunday 29 November.

At 1.30pm on Saturday, Calshot’s all-weather and inshore lifeboats were needed to help a 37ft yacht with five people on board that had become grounded on the Brambles Bank. The inshore lifeboat that can work in shallow water placed a halyard tow on the yacht and towed it beam on (sideways) into deeper water so that the all-weather lifeboat Sarah Emily Harrop could take the vessel in a stern tow back to Hamble.

On Sunday morning, Calshot inshore lifeboat 248 Squadron RAF was launched in poor weather to assist a yacht off Calshot spit. The 35ft yacht, with five people on board, had got into difficulties after its foresail had torn due to high winds and its propeller had become entangled with the failed rigging. Hamble Rescue, who also attended the incident, towed the yacht to the lee side of the Esso oil terminal so that the yacht crew could lower the remaining sails. The boat was then towed by Hamble rescue, escorted by Calshot lifeboat, into Warsash.

At 1.11pm Calshot’s all-weather lifeboat was alerted to a 36ft sports yacht that had been dismasted in Osborne Bay in the Solent during high winds. The six crew of the stricken yacht were able to remove the mast and proceed under engine power with Calshot lifeboat in escort back to the river Hamble, where she was to be assessed for damage. RNLI Calshot would like to thank Hamble Rescue for their assistance with Sunday morning’s incident.

RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact Tim Woodcock, Calshot Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07766 954338 or tim.woodcock1@gmail.com Alternatively, contact Tim Ash, RNLI Divisional Media Relations Manager on 01825 747727 or 07785 396252 or tash@rnli.org.uk Alternatively, call RNLI Public Relations on 01202 336789.

Notes to Editors

There has been an RNLI lifeboat Station at Calshot for 40 years in 2010.

Byline: Falmouth RNLI lifeboat station announces record number of visits Page Content:

Falmouth RNLI lifeboat station has now closed its doors to visitors after a very busy season, not only for the lifeboats themselves but owing also to the large number of visitors.

Since Easter this year we have had 2,603 members of the public visiting the station and being shown around the boats. 509 of these came in 27 organised groups. This is a new record for Falmouth, which could possibly be put down to the rather dull weather we had this year, but also, we like to think, it is because it is the best free show in town!

On visiting the station, the visitors are shown around the inshore lifeboat, Eve Pank, and the Severn class all-weather lifeboat, Richard Cox Scott, by a dedicated team of volunteer lifeboat guides, ably coordinated, run and led by Robert Thompson, the Falmouth Lifeboat Station Visits Officer.

Judging from the comments in the visitors’ book, a large amount of goodwill and awareness has been generated for the RNLI in general and Falmouth lifeboat station in particular. We are constantly surprised by the number of local people who come along and tell us they hadn’t realised where the lifeboat station is situated, let alone that they can actually be taken on a conducted tour of the big all-weather lifeboat and the inshore lifeboat.

So, if you have missed us this year, keep a lookout for our posters when we re-open the doors next Easter, when our enthusiastic band of volunteers will be on hand to show you around and explain the complicated workings of the boats to you.

Meanwhile, group visits can still be arranged by phoning the station Visits Officer, Robert Thompson on 01326 250525. The station gift shop however is not closing and will remain open until just before Christmas for cards, gifts and souvenirs.

Please remember also that, while the station is closed for public visits during Winter, both lifeboats and their volunteer crews will remain at constant readiness, 24/7, to go to the aid of anyone in trouble at sea. So far this year the lifeboats have been called out on a total of 97 occasions, 64 for the inshore and 33 for the all-weather lifeboat.

RNLI media contacts

For more information please contact Gerry Gearon, RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 01326 212438 or gerrygearon@hotmail.com or Tamsin Thomas, Media Relations Manager South on 01752 850663 or tthomas@rnli.org.uk or contact RNLI Public Relations on 01202 336789.

Byline: Penlee’s RNLI lifeboat crew launched the charity’s inshore and all weather lifeboats this morning (30 April) to reports of a speed boat taking on water a mile and a half east of Newlyn Harbour. Page Content: The volunteer crew launched the Penlee inshore lifeboat at 11.03am just three minutes after receiving the request from Falmouth Coastguard to reports of a 19 foot speed boat taking on water. They were on scene within four minutes and transferred the two men onto the lifeboat just time, as minutes later the speedboat had sunk.

The all-weather lifeboat arrived soon after, and the two male casualties, who were in their 20’s were taken onboard the Severn class lifeboat and into the wheelhouse to keep warm. They were thankfully unharmed, but a little shaken and taken back to Penlee lifeboat station where they were met by the local coastguard teams.

Patrick Harvey, RNLI Coxswain said;

‘The two men were wearing lifejackets and did the right thing to alert the Coastguard when they saw the boat was taking on water. Our main priority is always the casualty and thankfully no one was injured. If, once everyone is safe, we can help salvage the vessel we will, unfortunately in this instance, it was under the water before we could do anything.’

RNLI media contacts
For more information please telephone Tamsin Thomas Public Relations Manager on 07786668847 or Amy Caldwell, RNLI Press Officer on 01752 842464 or amy_caldwell@rnli.org.uk  

Byline: Penlee’s RNLI lifeboat crew launched the charity’s inshore and all weather lifeboats this morning (30 April) to reports of a speed boat taking on water a mile and a half east of Newlyn Harbour. Page Content: The volunteer crew launched the Penlee inshore lifeboat at 11.03am just three minutes after receiving the request from Falmouth Coastguard to reports of a 19 foot speed boat taking on water. They were on scene within four minutes and transferred the two men onto the lifeboat just time, as minutes later the speedboat had sunk.

The all-weather lifeboat arrived soon after, and the two male casualties, who were in their 20’s were taken onboard the Severn class lifeboat and into the wheelhouse to keep warm. They were thankfully unharmed, but a little shaken and taken back to Penlee lifeboat station where they were met by the local coastguard teams.

Patrick Harvey, RNLI Coxswain said;

‘The two men were wearing lifejackets and did the right thing to alert the Coastguard when they saw the boat was taking on water. Our main priority is always the casualty and thankfully no one was injured. If, once everyone is safe, we can help salvage the vessel we will, unfortunately in this instance, it was under the water before we could do anything.’

RNLI media contacts
For more information please telephone Tamsin Thomas Public Relations Manager on 07786668847 or Amy Caldwell, RNLI Press Officer on 01752 842464 or amy_caldwell@rnli.org.uk