Lifeboat in action
The expected flotilla of eclipse seekers off the South East Cornwall coastline did not materialise and the special all weather lifeboat from Poole which was positioned by the Eddystone was not called into service.
However, Looe's inshore lifeboat, Spirit of the RAOC had two call outs on the big day. The first was at 4.30am when a 21 year old man in an intoxicated state was reported missing from Seaton beach with fears he may have fallen asleep below the high water mark. Coastguards searched the cliffs whilst a search and rescue helicopter was scrambled along with the Fowey lifeboat. The man was later found asleep between some rocks.
At 4.30pm the Looe lifeboat and the coastguards went to the rescue of a 20 year old man stuck on the cliff face at Talland Bay. Lifeboatman Stuart Cairns scrambled up and brought him down to safety.