Penlee and Lizard joint rescue

The person was on a double kayak that capsized but after several attempts to get back on board in a fresh NW wind and choppy conditions got tired and held on to the kayak waiting for help while a colleague on another kayak paddled ashore and raised the alarm.

Penlee’s ILB launched immediately and arrived on scene in 25 mins just before the Lizard Lifeboat arrived, the person who by now had been in the sea for an hour was hypothermic and very weak was hauled aboard the Penlee Inshore lifeboat, after an assessment it was decided to transfer the person onto the Lizard Lifeboat for further medical treatment.

With the help of two Lizard lifeboat crew the casualty was successfully transferred across but after further assessment of the casualty’s condition it was decided to task the Coastguard Rescue Helicopter and the casualty was winched from the Lizard lifeboat and taken to hospital.

Penlee ILB recovered the other person on the double kayak who was also feeling the affects of the cold and took him and the kayak to Mullion Harbour, he was greeted by the Mullion Cliff Rescue Team and an ambulance for treatment.

This was the first service for Penlee Crew Amy Smith as coxswain who was covering at the Lizard Lifeboat station.

Well done to everyone involved the efforts of Falmouth Coastguard who co-ordinated this rescue, two lifeboats and a helicopter, a cliff rescue team and an ambulance - meaning a life was definitely saved.

Notes to editors
Penlee RNLI is based in Newlyn, Penzance, Cornwall TR18 5HW. The volunteers crew an all-weather Severn Class Lifeboat the Ivan Ellen and a B class Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat the Mollie and Ivor Dent. The Penlee Lifeboat has a rich 200 years history of saving lives at sea.
RNLI media contacts For more information, please contact Phil Monckton, Penlee Lifeboat Press Officer on 07879818095 or [email protected], or Amy Caldwell, RNLI Regional Communications Manager [email protected] or Emma Haines, RNLI Regional Communications Officer, on 07786 668847 or [email protected].

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