Towan Head Rescue: What Happened When an Inflatable RIB Capsized Near the Cribbar?

Two people thrown into the sea rescued by Newquay RNLI volunteers

Two people were rescued off the coast of Towan Head on 5th April after their inflatable rib capsized near the Cribbar. Newquay RNLI volunteers were called into action at 3:10pm following reports that the pair had been thrown into the water.

Lifeboat launched within minutes

Newquay’s Atlantic 85 lifeboat was launched just six minutes after the call-out, at 3:16pm, and reached the scene by 3:22pm.

One of the boat’s occupants was wearing a flotation device at the time of the incident, but the second person’s lifejacket had become separated and was seen blowing away from the vessel.

The pair made what the RNLI described as a “sensible decision” to swim back to the upturned rib rather than chase the drifting lifejacket and waited there for help to arrive.

Casualties brought back to safety

Once both casualties were safely on board, the volunteer crew chose to bring the upturned vessel back onto the lifeboat to prevent further reports to the Coastguard.

The RNLI crew arrived back into Newquay Harbour at 3:37pm, where shore volunteers helped the casualties into the lifeboat station. They were given hot drinks while waiting for family members and were advised to seek medical attention to check for any injuries.

The lifeboat was cleaned and restocked, returning to service by 4:00pm.

📷Photo Credit: RNLI/Ann-Marie Dale