‘Cold and Wet’ Teens Rescued After Paddleboarding Scare off Downderry

Two lifeboat launches in one evening for Looe RNLI on 31st May

Saturday evening turned out to be a busy one for Looe RNLI volunteers, with two lifeboat callouts in just a few hours. Crews launched both of the charity’s inshore lifeboats on 31st May 2025, responding to separate incidents involving people in difficulty in the water.

First callout: Concerns for children in the river

At 7.13pm, launch pagers were triggered following a 999 call made to Falmouth Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre. The call raised concerns about two children on an inflatable being pushed through deep water near Looe Police Station.

Volunteer crews launched the D Class inshore lifeboat Ollie Naismith II within seven minutes and made their way upriver, passing under Looe bridge. They found the group – including a kayak – safe on the riverbank near the car park. After confirming there were no immediate dangers, the crew spoke with the group about the risks of swimming in the river before being stood down by the coastguards and returning to station.

Second launch: Paddleboarders spotted ‘waving in distress’

After washing down and refuelling the D Class, the crew left the station at around 7.45pm, but were called out again at 8.57pm.

This time, the Atlantic 85 lifeboat Sheila and Dennis Tongue II was requested by Falmouth MRCC following a report of paddleboarders off Downderry waving their paddles “as in distress”. Sixteen volunteers responded to the launch page, and the Atlantic 85 was launched within eight minutes.

On arrival, the crew found two teenagers quite far out to sea, cold and wet, and unable to return to shore in the fading light. They were brought back to the lifeboat station to warm up while waiting for their parents.

Praise for quick action

While the incidents were different in nature, Looe RNLI noted that in both cases, those who made the 999 calls did the right thing by raising their concerns early. Thanks to quick response times from the crew, both situations were resolved safely before they could develop into something more serious.

📷Looe RNLI Atlantic 85 Sheila and Dennis Tongue II at the landing pontoon after dropping off the casualties - Photo credit: RNLI / Ian Foster