Yesterday’s strong north easterly force 3 winds caused problems for beach users on inflatables in Looe.
In three separate incidents inflatables were blown out to sea, resulting in multiple calls to the RNLI.
The first shout came in at 11.32 am, with reports of an inflatable being blown out to sea past the Banjo Pier. They were stood down as paddleboarders bought the inflatable back to the beach.
A second inflatable was blown out to sea with the RNLI crew being alerted at 12.44 pm, they were stood down before launching as this inflatable was bought back to the beach by a kayaker.
The third incident occurred at 2.54 pm when two people on an inflatable were being blown further out to sea. Launching the D Class inshore lifeboat Ollie Naismith within four minutes the crew were quickly alongside and transferred the two casualties onto the lifeboat and taken back to the lifeboat station. Looe Coastguard rescue team who also responded, rescued a fourth inflatable off the Banjo Pier with a throw line.
Dave Haines, Lifeboat Operations Manager, said: ‘Any one of these incidents could have so easily ended in tragedy, blow-up toys and airbeds are designed for pools, not the sea where they can easily be swept out offshore.’
It wasn’t just inflatables in trouble though.
Crew pagers sounded for the fourth time at 4.49 pm following a call for assistance from three people onboard an 18’ boat which had run out of fuel three miles south east of Looe. Launching the Atlantic 85 Sheila and Dennis Tongue II the crew quickly arrived on scene, established a tow line and bought the boat back into Looe river.
Thanks to Looe Coastguard rescue team for picture.