Newquay RNLI welcomes new lifeboat into service

Newquay Lifeboat Station has taken delivery of its latest vessel, the D Class lifeboat D907 “Richmond”, which has already completed its maiden voyage.

Following a successful sea trial and acceptance by helm and mechanic Mike Martin, the new lifeboat was placed on active service earlier this week.

In the early hours of Thursday morning, RNLI volunteers were paged following a request to assist Newquay Coastguard Search and Rescue Team. Both of the charity’s inshore lifeboats were prepared for launch.

At 4.21am, Falmouth Coastguard tasked the crews to remain on immediate readiness, but they were stood down at 5.40am without the need to launch.

On Thursday afternoon a second call came around 4:50pm to a report of a person cut off by the tide at Towan Beach. Volunteer crew were paged at 4.53pm, and D907 Richmond launched on her maiden service at 5.02pm.

According to the RNLI, Richmond arrived on scene, where the crew located a 19-year-old man stranded on an isolated rock between Towan and Great Western Beaches. He was surrounded by the sea and described as soaking wet and extremely cold as waves of around half a metre broke over the rock.

Crew member Ashley, a qualified paramedic, went onto the rock to reassure the casualty and fit him with a lifejacket. Once he confirmed the man was safe, Joe steadied the lifeboat while Olly helped bring both Ashley and the casualty onboard.

The teenager and crew returned to Newquay Harbour at 5.10pm, where the casualty was dried, warmed, and checked over for any injuries.