Coastguard and lifeboats called to Nanjizal after two cut off by tide

A report of one person cut off by the tide at Nanjizal turned into two on Saturday afternoon, and the first of them was never in much trouble at all.

What happened at Nanjizal

Lands End Coastguard Search and Rescue Team was tasked at 15:30 on 13 June to reports of someone cut off by the tide at Nanjizal, on the far west of the peninsula. Sennen Cove Lifeboat Station was sent to assist. On the way, a second report came in of another person cut off at the opposite end of the cove.

The team pulled on lifejackets and made their way down to find the first informant. Both Sennen Cove’s all weather lifeboat and inshore lifeboat arrived around the same time. The crew then passed on word that the original casualty had already made their own way safely up from the water. It turned out to be a local who knew the area very well and had simply been for a swim.

A waiting game on the rocks

Attention shifted to the second person, who was on a rock at the southern end of the cove. With the tide on the ebb, the team decided the safest option was to stay put rather than attempt a recovery.

The lifeboat assessed the sea conditions as unfavourable, so an extraction by sea was put on hold. The team asked the lifeboat to remain in place for safety until the tide had dropped far enough for the person to make their own way back to the steps leading up from the cove.

The all weather lifeboat held off the coast to act as a communication relay. VHF signal is difficult under the high cliffs there, and the relay was needed to keep Falmouth Coastguard updated on what was happening below.

An earlier callout on the north coast

The Nanjizal job came a day after another tasking. On 12 June the team was called to help St Ives and Penzance Coastguard Rescue Team extract a casualty from a difficult spot on the north coast. They assisted until the person was in a safe location with a South Western Ambulance crew, then returned to station.

The Coastguard’s reminder stands. If you see someone in danger on the coast, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.