The St Ives RNLI all-weather and inshore lifeboats were launched on Tuesday 7 July 2009 to assist in a large-scale search for a missing swimmer off rocks near Godrevy. The volunteer lifeboat crews were joined by an 18-strong team of RNLI lifeguards, local coastguards and the search and rescue helicopter from RNAS Culdrose. They were stood down later in the evening when nothing was found.

The inshore lifeboat was initially launched at 4:45 pm with Robert Cocking at the helm and crewed by volunteers Crispian Jones and Jonathan Harvey, following reports that three people were in difficulty swimming in a heavy swell off rocks North East of Gwithian near Godrevy. Shortly after the launch, the situation was updated as two of the swimmers had made it to shore, however one was still missing, and the all-weather lifeboat was launched at 5:00 pm to assist with the search for the missing person.

A large scale search then took place for the missing swimmer including both lifeboats, 18 RNLI lifeguards who stayed on duty after their usual patrol period, on the water on four Rescue Water Craft (Jet ski’s) and coastguard units. A Search and Rescue helicopter from RNAS Culdrose also searched from the air. As services were gradually stood down as the evening progressed, both lifeboats continued to search the coastline & near waters for over 4 hours, and the search continued from the shore.

Both lifeboats were stood down and returned to St Ives Lifeboat Station at 9:00pm. The lifeguards were also stood down.

Notes to editors

· There are three pictures attached; one shows the St Ives RNLI all-weather and inshore lifeboats searching of Godrevy, the other shows the volunteer crew of the St Ives all-weather lifeboat searching near to rocks at Godrevy in a heavy swell. The photographs should be credited to RNLI/Phil Drew. RNLI

Media Contacts

For more information please contact Derek Hall, St Ives Lifeboat Press Officer, on 07812040251 or Amy Caldwell, RNLI Lifeguard Press Officer, on 07920818807.