17 June 2017 Looe RNLI Shout
A quick change for Looe RNLI lifeboat crews to assist a cabin cruiser run out of fuel
Volunteer crews from Looe RNLI launched their Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat yesterday afternoon, Saturday 17 June 2017, following reports of a 16 foot cabin cruiser which had run out of fuel one mile south of Looe. Unable to locate the cruiser the D Class inshore lifeboat was also launched to continue the search along the coastline whilst the Atlantic 85 searched further out into Looe bay.
The cruiser with two occupants on board was located-some nine miles south east of Looe and towed back to the landing pontoon in Looe river by the Atlantic 85..
After towing the cabin cruiser to the landing pontoon, the inshore lifeboats are recovered.
At 4.03 pm yesterday afternoon HM Coastguard Falmouth paged Looe RNLI volunteer crews after receiving a mobile phone call from a 16 foot cabin cruiser which had left Polperro earlier and had run out of fuel, they were unsure of their position thinking they were one mile south of Looe.
Several of the volunteer crew were in the boathouse changing into dry clothes following the afternoon's sailing when their pagers sounded.
Quickly changing into their RNLI dry suits, lifejackets and helmets the charity's Atlantic 85 Sheila and Dennis Tongue II, was launched two minutes later at 4.05pm.
The Atlantic 85 made contact with the cruiser by mobile phone but was unable to locate the craft close to shore.
A decision was made to launch the D Class inshore lifeboat Ollie Naismith at 4.52 pm to continue the search close to shore allowing the Atlantic 85 to search further out onto Looe bay.
Around 5.30 pm the Atlantic 85 located the cruiser with two occupants onboard some nine miles south east of Looe.
A tow line was established and the cruiser was towed back to the landing pontoon in Looe river by 6pm.
Looe RNLI strongly recommend the use of a VHF Radio rather than relying on a mobile phone as mobile signals are unreliable out at sea.
Lifeboats cannot home into the signal of a mobile phone but with a radio they can and will find you more quickly.
Make sure your boat is sea worthy, check you have enough fuel for your planned journey, have suitable navigation aids and always wear lifejackets.
Atlantic 85 crew:
Matthew Jaycock (helm), David Jackman, Ben Crabb and Aaron Rix
D Class crew:
Clive Palfrey (helm), Richard Porter and Dan King
Shore crew:
Dave Haines, Nick Pope, Richard Rix, Graham Rich and Paul Barley
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