Rising Tide Traps Woman on Cornwall’s Coast – St Agnes RNLI Rescues Just in Time

A woman cut off by the tide near Wheal Charlotte was rescued by volunteer RNLI crew members on Friday afternoon after being found stranded along the rocky shoreline.

Emergency Launch in Rough Seas

The St Agnes RNLI lifeboat crew was paged for an immediate launch, responding to the emergency in choppy conditions and sizable surf. Their D-class lifeboat made a swift but bumpy journey along the coastline between Chapel Porth and Porthtowan, where they located the casualty.

The woman, who had been cut off by the tide, was able to signal to the crew using her high-visibility rucksack cover. With the tide still rising, the RNLI helm assessed the situation and decided to bring the lifeboat onto what remained of the beach to extract the casualty safely.

Safe Return to Shore

A crew member reached the woman, assessed her for injuries, and checked her immediate welfare before bringing her onto the lifeboat. With rough waters making landings difficult at both Chapel Porth and Porthtowan, the team opted to return to Trevaunance Cove.

Once ashore, the woman, who was shaken but in good spirits, was taken to the warmth of the lifeboat station. After being monitored and warming up, she was able to return home – damp but safe.

Tide Warning for Walkers

Tidal cut-offs are a frequent risk on Cornwall’s north coast, and the RNLI urges people to check tide tables before heading out and remain aware of their surroundings. More safety advice can be found on the RNLI website: https://rnli.org/safety/know-the-risks/tides.

Following the rescue, the lifeboat was refuelled and rehoused, ready for service again by 4pm.

Photo: St Agnes RNLI D-Class lifeboat launching in similar surf conditions – Credit: Bruce Hargrave