RNLI volunteers in Looe faced their busiest month in more than three decades after being called out to 20 incidents during August.

Crews launched the station’s inshore lifeboats 17 times during the month – the highest number recorded since Looe’s lifeboat station was re-established in 1992.

Warm weather and strong offshore winds created a challenging combination, with the volunteer crews responding to a wide range of emergencies both at sea and along the shoreline.

Six of the August callouts involved paddleboarders or kayakers who had been caught out by the strength of the offshore winds.

Crews were also called to people cut off by the tide, searches for missing people and an overdue sailor, while a number of medical emergencies added to the pressure on the station.

In total, 14 of the 20 incidents were sea-based, resulting in 17 lifeboat launches. The remaining six incidents were shore-based.

Clive Palfrey, Looe RNLI’s lifeboat operations manager, said there were days when crews barely had time to draw breath between incidents.

“August turned out to be exceptionally busy for the station’s volunteer crew, with days when one incident followed another in quick succession,” he said. “I’m extremely proud of the commitment shown by all the crew, both long established and our newest volunteers, who responded in significant numbers to every shout, as well as continuing to attend our regular Wednesday training evenings.”

The previous record for lifeboat launches in a single month was 14, recorded in July 2014 and again in July 2021.

The latest figures mean August 2026 surpassed that previous record, underlining the extraordinary demand placed on Looe’s volunteer lifeboat crews.

Mr Palfrey said the regular training undertaken by volunteers throughout the year had proved its worth during the exceptionally busy spell.

Crews dealt with eight varied medical incidents, two shoreline searches and six callouts involving people caught out by the strength of offshore winds. There were also incidents away from the main lifeboat operation.

While at the station, crew members helped a woman who found herself in difficulties while attempting to wade across the river at low tide.

On another occasion, volunteers helped reunite a lost child with his parents.

Mr Palfrey also paid tribute to the families of Looe RNLI volunteers, whose support allows crew members to respond when their pagers sound, often at short notice and at any hour of the day or night.

The record-breaking month has prompted a renewed warning over the dangers of offshore winds, particularly for people using paddleboards and kayaks.

The RNLI and Paddle UK advise people never to launch paddleboards or other inflatable craft in offshore winds, which blow from the land towards the sea.

The RNLI also advises water users to wear a buoyancy aid, use a leash and carry a means of calling for help close at hand.

Looe RNLI operates two inshore lifeboats – the Atlantic 85 Sheila and Dennis Tongue II and the D Class Ollie Naismith II.

Anyone who gets into serious difficulty at sea should call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.