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Padstow RNLI volunteers travel 186 nautical miles, during 12 hours at sea

Lifeboats News Release

Padstow RNLI crew launched on Friday, (1 August) just after 2pm, to reports of a catamaran with steering failure, that was taking on water 68 miles from Padstow.

Coastguard Rescue Helicopter 924 was already on scene when the lifeboat crew arrived at 5.10pm. The catamaran, which had three people aboard, was managing to sail north at 3 knots. The Coxswain assessed the situation and, considering the vessel's position and the time needed to reach a safe harbour, the best course of action was to take the catamaran under tow.

Being such a long distance from shore, Padstow lifeboat lost communication with Falmouth Coastguard. However, Rescue Helicopter 924 was able to support with communications. Once the helicopter had left the scene needing to refuel, the Coastguard’s fixed wing aircraft joined and continued supporting communications with Falmouth Coastguard.

The nearest place of safety was Kilmore Quay Harbour, on the Irish coast. Padstow RNLI lifeboat continued towing the catamaran until they could establish communication with Rosslare Radio, and Kilmore Quay RNLI lifeboat was launched.

Kilmore Quay RNLI crew arrived on scene at 9.37pm and took over the tow of the catamaran from Padstow RNLI, who were now 93 nautical miles from Padstow.
Padstow RNLI volunteer crew were then stood down and returned to the station, refuelled and ready for service by 3am.

Kilmore Quay RNLI crew towed the catamaran safely into the harbour and were stood down at 2.25am.

Coxswain Richard Pitman said ‘It was a very long time to be at sea, the crew put their training into practice and did a great job. We were relieved to see our colleagues from Kilmore Quay, and were glad to hear the catamaran and her crew were taken safely into the harbour’.


Media contacts

For more information please telephone Abigail Gough, RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07460 484503 or [email protected] or Emma Haines, Regional Communications Manager on 07786 668847 or [email protected] or the RNLI press office on 01202 336789 / [email protected].

RNLI online

For more information, please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the RNLI News Centre.

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates over 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and, in a normal year, more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of the Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service.

Kilmore Quay RNLI lifeboat

Padstow RNLI

Kilmore Quay RNLI lifeboat
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Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,700 lives.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.

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