Looe RNLI crew rescue 2 persons in the water after jet ski breaks down

At lunchtime today, Saturday 13 September 2025, Looe RNLI’s volunteer duty launch authority, Adam, was in the Albatross boathouse when a member of public came in to report a jet ski in difficulties out in Looe bay. Before Adam was able to go out onto the seafront to investigate, his pager sounded with a tasking request. After confirming with Falmouth MRCC it was the same incident, launch pagers were activated a minute later at 12.31 pm. Within eight minutes, shore crew had prepared the charity’s Atlantic 85 Sheila and Dennis Tongue II for launch and a crew of four on the inshore lifeboat headed towards Millendreath to investigate.

Arriving on scene our crew found two casualties in the water, one clinging onto the jet ski. It transpired that a rope had fouled the jet ski’s impeller causing it to malfunction. The pair entered the water to attempt to remove the rope without success. One of the casualties had started to swim towards shore to raise the alarm. Both casualties, who were wearing buoyancy aids, were brought onboard the lifeboat where a casualty care check found them both uninjured, but wet and very cold. Our helm decided the best course of action was to take the jet ski in tow and return to Looe Lifeboat Station with the casualties, to dry off and warm up with a hot drink.

Commenting on the rescue, Clive Palfrey, our Lifeboat Operations Manager said

‘It was fortunate members of the public spotted something was wrong and raised the alarm immediately, which is always the right thing to do. Even though the casualties were wearing buoyancy aids they were not carrying a means of calling for help. The lifeboat reached the casualties within 15 minutes of the first report, and they were already very cold. This quick response prevented the incident escalating into something far more serious, if they were in the water for any longer, they would have been at real risk of suffering hypothermia.’

ENDS

Notes to editors

Photos:

· Stock image Looe RNLI Atlantic 85 Sheila and Dennis Tongue II heading out into Looe bay
Photo credit RNLI / Ian Foster

Information:

· Re-established as an inshore lifeboat station in 1992, Looe RNLI operate two inshore lifeboats
An Atlantic 85 Sheila and Dennis Tongue II and a D Class Ollie Naismith II

· For further information on Looe RNLI Lifeboats please visit our website https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/looe-lifeboat-station

· Looe RNLI Facebook page www.facebook.com/LooeRNLI

Media contacts

For more information please telephone

Ian Foster, RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for Looe Lifeboat Station, on 07902 753228 or [email protected] or [email protected]

or Emma Haines, RNLI Regional Communications Manager, on 07866 668847 or [email protected]

or Amy Caldwell, RNLI Regional Communications Lead, on 07920 818807 or [email protected]

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.

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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.