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Give Us Some Space
The volunteer crews of Newquay’s RNLI lifeboats are asking for space when launching and recovering onto Towan beach. Their call follows two recent incidents where they struggled to clear a path to get the lifeboats in and out of the sea.
The town’s RNLI lifeboats responded twice in half-term week to emergencies. Normally they are launched from the harbour but on both occasions the lifeboats had to be taken to Towan beach because of the low tide. This area was not only suitable for launching a lifeboat; it was great for surfers catching some waves.
On each occasion the RNLI’s volunteer shore crew found it difficult to clear an area for safe launching. Despite flashing blue lights, sirens and a tannoy they could not easily and efficiently clear a path for the lifeboats, which was frustrating for those trying to respond to the emergency calls.
Newquay has a thriving community of experienced, competent surfers and the excellent conditions also attract surfers from further afield. They are respectful of the sea, know their limits and capabilities and on a few occasions even assist in rescuing the person that the lifeboat has been called out to.
Unfortunately Newquay also attracts a limited number of amateurs who appear ignorant of the life saving work of the RNLI crews. It is this group of surfers who appeared to feel that it was more important for them to enjoy their surfing rather than make way for a lifesaving emergency service.
Gareth Horner, RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager at Newquay, says it was these few surfers who held the lifeboats up:
‘Despite numerous attempts by our volunteer shore crew to attract their attention, these surfers failed to clear a path for the lifeboats launch and recover. It may be that some of them were unaware and did not realise what was going on. However, the minority who visually and verbally abused the volunteer crews, both ashore and in the lifeboats cannot be given the benefit of the doubt. They were certainly aware that the shore crew had been trying to clear a path.’
’The lifeboat crews, who are all volunteers, risk their lives to save people in difficulties. Any form of abuse from other sea users is totally unacceptable; these chaps are only doing their job. Seconds taken clearing a pathway could mean the difference between life and death for some poor soul. These individuals should be aware that it might be them in danger one day. At Newquay we enjoy the support of many experienced and matured minded surfers, indeed several of our lifeboat crew surf. The people who abuse the crew are, I’m pleased to say, very much in the minority’
Howard Ramm, RNLI Divisional Inspector, says it’s important that people understand why any delays in launching are of concern to the charity:
‘As a life saving charity, our aim is to launch to emergencies at sea in as quick a time as possible. A delay could cost the life of the person we are trying to get to. Just as motorists try and avoid ambulances, fire appliances or police cars when they are clearly on emergency calls, so we would hope people would give our volunteers space to launch and recover our lifeboats safely. I would suggest that anyone not understanding why we launch as we do, should approach the lifeboat station and ask. Our volunteers would be more than happy to explain our operation.’
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