LOOE’S volunteer RNLI lifeboat crew have had a busy period with early evening shouts over the last three days.

The charity’s inshore lifeboats were launched to conduct a shoreline search, investigate a kayak reported to be drifting and rescue two people cut off by the tide.

Yesterday’s shout followed a 999 call to Falmouth Coastguards from two people cut off by the tide between Tregantle and Freathy beaches. Shortly before 7pm, volunteer crews launched the D Class inshore lifeboat Ollie Naismith, closely followed by the Atlantic 85. The faster Atlantic 85 arrived on scene first, and after a short search along the coastline east from Tregantle, located the casualties. Confirming both were uninjured the Atlantic 85 stood by offshore whilst the D Class made its way into the cove to pick up the two people. With the casualties safely onboard the D Class, they were taken back to Tregantle beach where Tamar and Plymouth Coastguard rescue teams were waiting.

Thursday evening’s call out was for a shoreline search from Looe towards Seaton: crews were stood down shortly after 8pm.

On Friday evening, Falmouth Coastguard received a call from a member of the public reporting a kayak in difficulties, drifting in the Looe bay. Within eight minutes of the pager sounding at 6.51pm, volunteer crew had launched the charity’s Atlantic 85 Sheila and Dennis Tongue II.

"Our crew could not find anybody in distress," said a spokesperson, "so after discussion with the coastguard, the call was treated as a false alarm with good intent, and the inshore lifeboat was stood down to return to station."

Speaking of last night’s rescue of the two people cut off, Dave Haines, Looe RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager, said: "The people were walking along the beach when they realised the tide was coming in and had cut off their exit from the cove.

"This weekend’s high tides are in the early evening and if you are planning a walk after tea this is a timely reminder to always check the tide times and keep aware of your surroundings, as this incident happened two hours before high tide."