Birthday Rescue: RNLI Helm Leaves Celebration to Save Walkers

Volunteer helm Kit Watkins left his own birthday celebrations to take command of St Agnes RNLI lifeboat during his first rescue since rejoining the charity.

Walkers Cut Off by Tide

The volunteer crew of St Agnes RNLI lifeboat was paged at 2:44pm on Friday 7th November and launched immediately to reports of two people cut off by the tide. The D-Class inshore lifeboat, with Kit at the helm and a crew of three, launched through moderate surf towards Wheal Charlotte, between Chapel Porth and Porthtowan, where the casualties were reported to be trapped by the rising spring tide.

On arrival, the crew quickly located the two adults, a man and a woman, who had been walking between the popular Cornish beaches. After noticing the sea rising faster than expected, one of the walkers used her mobile phone to call 999 and alert the emergency services.

Safe Return to St Agnes

The D-class lifeboat, designed for working close to shore, was supported by the St Agnes Cliff Rescue Team, who were also on scene. Kit was able to manoeuvre the lifeboat close enough for the crew to bring both walkers aboard. With a pushing spring tide and significant surf, the team decided to return to St Agnes and land the lifeboat at Trevaunance Cove.

Once ashore, the casualties, who were wet, cold and shaken, were assessed by RNLI volunteers trained in casualty care. With no injuries reported, they were able to warm up at St Agnes RNLI headquarters with hot drinks.

“She Did Absolutely the Right Thing”

Volunteer helm Kit Watkins said, “It was an unexpected part of my birthday, but I’m very glad it meant that I was available to attend and, on this occasion, command a successful rescue. I would like to commend the walker who made a call to the emergency services. She did absolutely the right thing and it’s likely that two lives were saved as a result.”

St Agnes lifeboat was refuelled, rehoused, and ready for service again by 4pm.

For more information on how to understand the tides and stay safe at the shoreline, visit https://rnli.org/safety/know-the-risks/tides

📷RNLI D-Class Lifeboat Punches Through Surf - Credit: RNLI/St Agnes