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.’
