Padstow lifeboat crew’s four launches in four days

Four separate call-outs in four days is a heavy stretch for any volunteer crew, and that is exactly what Padstow’s lifeboat station has just come through.

A swimmer in trouble off Tintagel Head

Last Saturday (29 August), the volunteer crew launched at 10.41am after reports of a swimmer in difficulties off Tintagel Head. Padstow’s lifeboat was tasked to back up Port Isaac RNLI, but Port Isaac’s crew reached the swimmer first. Padstow’s boat was stood down, and the crew were back at the station, refuelled and ready for service, by 12.20pm.

A false alarm at Harlyn

The pagers went again last Sunday evening (30 August), at 7.54pm, after reports of people in difficulties in the water at Harlyn. HM Coastguard were also on scene. After searching the area, no one was found in the water. It was recorded as a false alarm with good intent, and the lifeboat returned to station.

A winch off Tintagel on the bank holiday

On the bank holiday Monday (31 August), the crew launched at 4.53pm to a report of a person in difficulties on the north side of Tintagel Head, this time tasked to provide sea cover for Boscastle Coastguard Team. Rescue Helicopter 924 was sent too, and winched the casualty to safety. With the job done from the air, Padstow’s RNLI crew were stood down.

A fishing boat towed clear off the Rumps

The pagers sounded a fourth time yesterday (1 September), at 2.06pm, for a fishing vessel with a fouled propeller near the Rumps. By the time Padstow’s lifeboat reached the scene, the harbour rib Stepper Point already had the boat under tow. The volunteer crew escorted them across the Doom Bar before heading home, refuelled and ready for service again by 4pm.

Four shouts, four different jobs, and one theme running through the log: a lifeboat station that never really got its bank holiday off.

📷Credit: Padstow Lifeboat