Port Erin RNLI’s Sam Kennaugh has had his first experience of a lifeboat callout after a false alarm call from a concerned member of the public.
Atlantic 85 lifeboat, Muriel and Leslie, was launched last Wednesday after a call regarding two people on a paddleboard.
Two people had left on a single paddleboard from Port Erin Bay travelling towards the Calf of Man, but had not returned two hours later.
The volunteer lifeboat crew made up of Tony Mitchell (Helm), Liam Farrer, Neil Kemp and Sam assembled at the station and the lifeboat launched at 6.45pm.
The lifeboat proceeded out of Port Erin Bay towards the Calf Sound, Spanish Head and Sugar Loaf at the Chasms. The crew spoke with a number of people on the rocks and in kayaks on the water along their way, but none had seen the paddleboarders.
From the Chasms, the lifeboat progressed towards the Calf of Man and performed another coastal search.
Checks
Once this was completed, the crew checked Cow Harbour, then returned to Port Erin Bay and, whilst doing so, carried on a coastal search. After approximately 90 minutes of searching, the crew spoke with HM Coastguard and Port Erin Lifeboat Station, and nothing else was reported regarding missing persons, so the search was called off.
Sam said: “Although this was a false alarm and thankfully no one was in difficulty, it was great to put all my training into practice of getting ready at speed and launching the lifeboat alongside my fellow crew.
“We carried out a thorough search pattern before we were stood down – and any time out on the water in the lifeboat is such valuable experience. Paddleboards carrying more than the advisable weight and number of people can be unstable in the water, and currents in and around Port Erin Bay can be very strong.
“The concerned person ashore did the right thing in calling 999, if you ever spot anyone in difficulty – call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.”
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