Stranded on Whitsand Bay: Rescue Launched After Boat Breakdown Leaves Three and Dog Trapped

RNLI Looe lifeboat called out after engine failure left group with no way out

Three people and a dog found themselves stranded on a remote stretch of Whitsand Bay yesterday morning (3rd May 2025) after their boat broke down, forcing them to call 999 for help.

Lifeboat launched within minutes

At 11.22am, pagers sounded for RNLI Looe Lifeboat Station volunteers following a request from Falmouth Coastguard Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC). The call reported that three people and their dog were stuck after their boat suffered engine failure.

Within eight minutes, the charity’s Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat Sheila and Dennis Tongue II launched from Looe and began the 20-minute transit across Looe Bay.

Casualty vessel located east of Tregonhawke

The volunteer crew spotted the broken-down boat on a beach to the east of Tregonhawke. Upon arrival, they found all three people wearing lifejackets and safely ashore.

It later emerged that two people had been dropped on the beach before the boat’s outboard engine pull cord broke, leaving the third person unable to restart it. With no safe route up the cliffs or along the beach, the group wisely called 999 for assistance.

All brought safely back to Looe

After assessing the situation, the helm decided to bring all three casualties and their dog onboard the Atlantic 85 and establish a tow. The group and their boat were safely returned to Looe, deemed the closest and safest port.

Once ashore, the crew were stood down by coastguards and returned to the lifeboat station. The Atlantic 85 was washed down, refuelled, and made ready for service by 1.09pm.

📷Stock image – Looe RNLI’s Atlantic 85 Sheila and Dennis Tongue II leaving Looe - Credit: Ian Foster