Newquay RNLI Lifeboat Volunteers Face Busiest Week of the Year

Newquay, Cornwall – Newquay RNLI Lifeboat volunteers experienced their busiest week of the year, responding to numerous emergency calls from 8th to 11th August. The series of incidents began on Thursday, 8th August, when the volunteers were paged at 6:55 pm to reports of multiple people in trouble in the water at Watergate Bay. The lifeboat crew launched their Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat at 7:05 pm, reaching the scene by 7:15 pm. Fortunately, by the time they arrived, a private lifeguard service employed by Boardmasters had already confirmed that all casualties were safely ashore. The crew was stood down and started to return to Newquay Lifeboat Station.

However, on their way back, the volunteers were tasked with another incident involving two people thought to be in difficulty in the water at Mawgan Porth. Upon arriving at the scene, the crew confirmed that all was well and no assistance was needed. They returned to Newquay Harbour at 7:45 pm, marking the end of a busy evening.

False Alarm and Further Alerts

The following day, Friday, 9th August, brought more alerts for the dedicated volunteers. At 2:37 pm, Falmouth Coastguard reported a sighting of a red board floating in the sea off Watergate Beach. Due to poor phone signal, details of the situation were unclear, prompting both of the charity’s lifeboats to be launched. The D class inshore lifeboat was the first to launch at 2:55 pm, with the Atlantic 85 crew preparing to set off just as a stand-down alert was received. The floating object turned out to be seaweed, bringing the response to an early and fortunately uneventful conclusion.

Busy Sunday: Paddleboarder and Kayaker Rescued

The most hectic day for the Newquay RNLI volunteers came on Sunday, 11th August. The day started with a series of shouts, even as the crew was out on their weekly training. The first incident occurred when a local fishing vessel reported a paddleboarder in difficulty near Dane Rock due to a strong offshore wind. The D class lifeboat crew located the paddleboarder at 12:30 pm and safely transported the individual to Towan Beach. Immediately after, the crew rescued a kayaker who was also struggling in the same area, dropping them off at Towan Beach at 12:42 pm before returning to the station at 12:54 pm.

Later that afternoon, at 4:26 pm, the crew was alerted to a young person who had suffered a Weaver Fish sting while paddling at Whipsiderry Beach. Unable to walk to safety, the casualty and two friends were aided by a Boardmasters Security Guard until the D class lifeboat arrived. The casualties were transferred to the Atlantic 85 lifeboat, which has a larger capacity, and taken to Newquay Lifeboat Station, where they received care before being returned to the festival.

Final Shouts and Successful Rescues

The Atlantic 85 crew was then tasked with searching for more people at risk of tidal cut off in the area. They located five people in potential danger and stood by until all were confirmed safe. The final shout of the day came at 7:20 pm when Falmouth Coastguard reported two children cut off between Towan and Great Western Beaches. The D class lifeboat launched swiftly at 7:27 pm, but fortunately, the children had managed to reach safety on their own. The crew returned to the station at 7:35 pm, concluding a long and demanding day.

A Week of Challenges Met with Teamwork

Wayne “Aggy” Martin, Launch Authority, commented on the week’s events, noting the dedication and teamwork displayed by the volunteers. Despite the town and beaches being at their busiest, the coordinated efforts of Newquay’s RNLI volunteers, alongside RNLI Lifeguards and the Newquay Coastguard Search & Rescue Team, ensured that all casualties were kept safe and out of danger.

The week’s incidents serve as a reminder of the crucial role played by these volunteers in keeping the community and its visitors safe, especially during peak times.