News Archive
29 October
Lifeboat Lunches in Padstow
No 6 Restaurant are supporting Padstow Lifeboat with a special meal deal at lunch time from Tuesday 2nd November until Friday 18th December. Paul Ainsworth and his Head Chef John Walton have devised a wonderful autumn menu that will change daily with the markets offering great quality and value. This is a great opportunity to dine in style and support the charity that's very close to Paul's heart the Padstow Lifeboat. Lunch will cost £5 a course, if you have three courses £2.50 will be donated to Padstow Lifeboat. A spokesman for Padstow Lifeboat said "No 6 restaurant supported the Lifeboat last year in this way, the meals were delicious and extremely popular." To book at No6 Restaurant Padstow, telephone 01841 532093 and ask for the Lifeboat Lunches.
For further information please contact :- Brian Wood, Secretary, Padstow Lifeboat. 01841 533059
1 October
Padstow RNLI lifeboat summoned to assist broken down fishing vessel.
Padstow’s RNLI Lifeboat ‘Spirit of Padstow’ was launched at 02.39 to go to the assistance of a 10-metre fishing vessel ‘Amber Mist’ which had suffered engine failure half a mile off Trevose Head. On reaching the vessel which was now about a mile off, the vessel’s owner had managed to get the engine started. As the engine kept cutting out the vessel’s owner asked for an escort into Padstow harbour. The lifeboat returned to the station shortly before 04.00.
Padstow R.N.L.I. crewmembers remembered on a new RNLI Memorial Sculpture
Thursday September 3rd saw the unveiling of a new memorial at the RNLI Headquarters at Poole in Dorset. The memorial is to commemorate all those brave lifeboatman who have lost their life in helping to save others.
Padstow’s RNLI lifeboat station since its beginning in 1827 has had an illustrious record in saving lives on the North Cornish coast. There have been many heroic deeds of bravery over the 182 years of the station’s history and with this has come the ultimate sacrifice.
Mrs Libby Grubb whose late husband Michael was a descendant of Coxswain David Grubb had this to say about the memorial and the ceremony
‘The stunning Memorial sculpture, designed and created by Sam Holland was unveiled at the R.N.L.I. Headquarters in Poole by its President HRH The Duke of Kent KG. The Chairman, Admiral the Lord Boyce started with the history of the project, explaining how the right design had to be something that went beyond art; it had to be a symbol for all that the RNLI stands for. He also paid special tribute to the Chief Executive Andrew Freemantle who, with three friends cycled from Poole to Rome and raised £60,000, which was a huge part of the £300,000 target. The Bishop of Sherborne, Dr Graham Kings, lead the Service of Dedication, and Thomas Cocking, Coxswain of St Ives gave a speech on behalf of Lifeboat crews and Lifeguards.
Around the base of this strong and meaningful Sculpture, which depicts a lifeboatman rescuing a casualty from the sea, are wide bands of steel depicting the station, date and names of all 778 heroic people who gave up their lives for their fellow man. These include station personnel, shore helpers, independent lifeboat crew members, coastguards, firemen and, in one case, a helicopter winchman. It not only acts as a memorial to those who lost their lives; those saved and those who go to the rescue but is also a celebration of the RNLI’s continuing achievements.
As a descendant of David Grubb, Coxswain of the Padstow Lifeboat, the James Stevens which went down in 1900, my daughter Nina and I had the privilege to attend this historic event on behalf of my late husband, Michael Grubb. We were warmed by the fellowship and friendliness of all the RNLI staff and crew members, who helped make this, such a memorable day for us and other family members from all the disasters, including those from the Penlee tragedy.
A truly memorable and humbling day was had by all – reinforcing the quote from the RNLI’s founder, Sir William Hillary……………….. “With Courage, nothing is impossible” ‘
The names commemorated on the memorial are
J Chapman, H Trebilcock, J Trebilcock 1828 serving with Padstow’s first lifeboat ‘Mariner’s Friend’
Daniel Shea, William Intross, Thomas Varco, M Crennell, Andrew Truscott.
These men perished whilst serving on the ‘Albert Edward II’ whilst endeavouring to assist the crew of the ‘Georgiana’ at the entrance to Padstow Harbour, on the 6th February 1867.
John W Bate, Sydney East, David Grubb, James Grubb, Edward Kane, John S Martin, James B Old, Joseph Stephens.
These men perished whilst serving aboard the steam lifeboat ‘James Stevens ‘ No.4 on the night of April 11th 1900 while endeavouring to saves the lives of the crew of the ‘Peace and Plenty’ of Lowestoft.
In 1935 while responding to a call to fire the assembly maroons lifeboat signalman
T. B. Cowl dropped dead.
18 September
Padstow RNLI lifeboat summoned to broken down fishing vessel.
Padstow’s RNLI Tamar class lifeboat ‘Spirit of Padstow’ launched at 13.50pm to go to the aid of the Padstow fishing vessel ‘Northern Lights’.
The boat suffered rudder failure 20 miles north off Trevose Head. On arriving at the scene the lifeboat passed over a tow and the fishing vessel was then towed back to Padstow Harbour arriving just after 18.00 hours.
26 August
Padstow RNLI Lifeboat Mechanic Mike England received his long service badge for completing 20 years service with the RNLI.
Mike started at the Padstow Lifeboat station as a shore helper, then as a crewmember before becoming the Lifeboat mechanic. He joins a long list of fellow crewmembers at the station who have been recipients of this award. more......
25 August
Padstow’s RNLI Tamar class lifeboat ‘Spirit of Padstow’ launched at 04.30am to assist stricken yachts.
A yacht with three persons and a dog onboard was anchored in between Stepper Point and Hawkers Cove on the Doom Bar when it started to drag its anchor. Arriving on scene the lifeboat manoeuvred to get as close as it could to the vessel and then deployed the y-boat to pass over a tow rope. With the tide making up the Lifeboat pulled the vessel clear to deeper water. The tow was then released and the Lifeboat stood by the yacht until there was enough water in over the Doom Bar where the vessel was then escorted in towards the harbour at Padstow.
Shout 2;
The lifeboat was then tasked to assist another yacht which had experienced engine failure on its way towards Padstow. It was able to sail towards the Port but would then need assistance and a tow up to Harbour. Having left the previous yacht safe the Lifeboat proceeded to the 2nd yacht with two persons onboard. The Lifeboat monitored the progress of the vessel as far as Pentire where it then passed over a tow and brought it up the river to the Inner Quay at Padstow where it was moored alongside the earlier casualty.
15 August
Padstow RNLI lifeboat summoned to swimmers.
Padstow’s RNLI Tamar class lifeboat ‘Spirit of Padstow’ launched at 20.28pm to the aid of swimmers off Treyarnon Bay.
Four swimmers were reported to be in difficulties off Treyarnon Bay beach. The lifeboat launched and made its way to the scene making ready the y-boat to be deployed. On arrival at the scene the lifeboat was stood down when the swimmers were helped ashore by other members of the public.
11 August
Padstow RNLI lifeboat summoned to assist broken down French yacht.
Padstow’s RNLI Tamar class lifeboat ‘Spirit of Padstow’ launched at 20.20pm to assist the yacht ‘Escapade’ with two persons onboard.
The French yacht had suffered engine problems and trouble with its sails. The vessels original position was 2 miles off Trevose Head the lifeboat picked up the vessel just inside Newland Rock. RNLI voluntary crewmembers James Chown and Chris Murphy were put aboard to help the skipper take up the tow from the lifeboat.
The vessel was then towed safely in Padstow harbour.
10 August
Padstow RNLI lifeboat summoned to assist broken down yacht.
Padstow’s RNLI Tamar class lifeboat ‘Spirit of Padstow’ launched at 09.09 am to assist the yacht ‘Kalyptos’ that was on passage from Padstow to the Isles of Scilly with three persons onboard.
The yacht suffered engine failure when 0.5 miles off Trevose Head. The skipper was concerned that he may be blown ashore! The lifeboat picked up the vessel approx 2 miles off Trevose sailing under Genoa and Mizzen.
The crew was asked to stow the Genoa before the towrope was passed to them.
The yacht was then towed up to the estuary at Padstow where the mizzen was stowed before entering the harbour. The vessel was put safely alongside in the inner harbour and the lifeboat returned to station.
8 August 2009
Padstow’s RNLI Tamar class lifeboat ‘Spirit of Padstow’ launched at 09.50 am to reports of a dog in the water off Trevose Head.
The small terrier had fallen over the cliff whilst out walking with its owner and landed in the water under the lighthouse at Trevose Head.
The lifeboat arrived on scene and found the dog to be ashore on the rocks at Stinking Cove, just around from the Lighthouse.
The Y-Boat was deployed and RNLI volunteer Crew member Tom Norfolk swam ashore to get hold of the dog until the Coastguard Cliff rescue team made their way down the path to the rocks. The dog sustained a cut to its leg and had swallowed some sea water but otherwise seemed okay.
The Coastguards and the Lifeboat Crewman then made their way back up to the cliff top taking the dog to safety and re-uniting it with its grateful owner.
8 June 2009
Padstow RNLI lifeboat summoned to yacht.
The RNLI Tamar lifeboat ‘Edward and Barbara Pridmore’ ( our releif lifeboat) was launched at 04.45 am to assist a broken down yacht.
The 8-metre yacht Stargate with a crew of 4 persons on board had suffered engine failure and was unhappy to enter Padstow under sail. The casualty was only 0.5 miles North of the lifeboat station. The yacht was under reefed mainsail when the lifeboat arrived alongside.
The skipper was asked if he wished to continue into Padstow under sail with the lifeboat escorting. The skipper declined and requested a tow. The lifeboat got the yacht to come up into the wind and drop the mainsail then a tow was passed. The lifeboat then proceeded to tow the casualty into Padstow. Once safely berthed in the inner harbour the lifeboat returned to station.
12 April 2009
Padstow RNLI lifeboat summoned in double shouts to aid canoeist and search for hot air balloon.
Launch 1- The relief RNLI Tamar lifeboat ‘Edward and Barbara Pridmore’ launched at 17.04 to reports of a canoeist shouting for help in the tide off Dinas Head.
The lifeboat found him drifting towards the Quies and got him on board. He was taken in towards Constantine and was watched into the care of the duty RNLI Lifeguards who saw him safely ashore. We returned to station at 17.39.
Launch 2- The Padstow RNLI lifeboat was again launched at 21.14 to multiple reports of a ditched hot air balloon off Widemouth Bay (Bude). The lifeboat arrived on scene and searched the area with the assistance of the Bude Coastguard teams ashore. Nothing was found and the lifeboat was stood down to return to station at 23.10. arriving at 00.34.
26 January 2009
Padstow RNLI lifeboat summoned to aid kite surfer.
Padstow’s Tamar class RNLI lifeboat was tasked at 11.22 hours on Monday to go to the aid of a kite surfer.
The Padstow RNLI lifeboat ‘Spirit of Padstow’ was tasked by the Coastguard to go to the assistance of a local man who got into difficulties whilst kite surfing off Harlyn Bay.
In rough seas and strong winds the man was carried out to sea, after ditching his board he was then unable to swim back to the shore.
The lifeboat was launched and within minutes picked the man out of the water. Medical assistance was given by the volunteer crew and a helicopter then airlifted the man off the lifeboat and transferred him to Treliske for a check up as he had swallowed a large amount of sea water.
20 September 2008
Padstow’s Tamar class RNLI lifeboat was tasked at 18.05 hours on Saturday to go to the aid of a broken down fishing trip vessel.
The Padstow RNLI lifeboat ‘Spirit of Padstow’ was tasked by the Coastguard to go to the assistance of the 30ft vessel ‘Batara Star ll’ which was on a fishing trip from Rock and suffered complete power failure 10.5 miles North West off Trevose Head.
On reaching the casualty the lifeboat fixed a tow and brought the vessel back to Rock returning to the lifeboat station at 21.30hrs.
12 September 2008
Padstow RNLI lifeboat was launched to assist in the recovery of an angler washed off rocks. The fisherman was pulled from the sea by the crew of a local fishing boat and then transferred to the Tamar class all weather lifeboat before being airlifted to hospital.
The incident happened at the western end of Port Quinn Bay where the angler had been fishing off rocks at Rumps Point. A big ground sea of around 3 metres had created a swell that’s its understood washed the angler away. Coastguards at Falmouth were quickly alerted and a search was immediately initiated.
The angler was found by the crew of the Padstow fishing boat Icthus who immediately started cardio pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on the casualty.
When the RNLI lifeboat arrived the Coxswain Alan Tarby and one of the volunteer crew were transferred to the fishing boat to provide first aid assistance:
‘While all this was happening the crew of the search and rescue helicopter from RNAS Culdrose decided they were not able to lift from the deck of the fishing boat because of its construction. At that point we proceeded to more sheltered waters in the River Camel so the angler could be transferred to the lifeboat. The airlift then took place from the Tamar. All the time we were providing vital first aid assistance.’
The casualty was taken to the Royal Cornwall Hospital at Treliske. The condition of the angler was not known at the time of writing.
6th September 2008
Padstow RNLI lifeboat in second rescue
Padstow’s Tamar class lifeboat was again tasked at 04.00 hrs this morning to go to the assistance of the same yacht.
The yacht had again left Padstow but this time had got 20 miles from the Rumps when the vessel once again became entangled with fishing gear. The Y-Boat was again launched and this time the obstruction was cleared successfully without the need to tow her back to Port. The Yacht then got underway and the Lifeboat returned to station at 07.00hrs.
5th September 2008
Padstow’s Tamar class lifeboat was tasked at 13.00 hours on Friday to go to the aid of a broken down motor boat.
The Padstow RNLI lifeboat ‘Spirit of Padstow’ was tasked by the Coastguard to go to the assistance of a 32ft yacht ‘Freya’ who was making her way to Scotland and had become entangled in fishing gear 3.5 miles off the Rumps after leaving Padstow.
The lifeboat went alongside and launched the Y-Boat to help free the ropes and then towed the yacht back to Padstow and left on a mooring to wait for the incoming tide. The lifeboat returned to the station at 16.30hrs
27th August 2008
Padstow’s Tamar class lifeboat was tasked again at 06.05 hours this morning to go to the aid of a yacht.
The Padstow RNLI launched at 06.05 to assist a yacht which had been caught up in a buoy rope about 2 miles off Trevose Head. Another yacht was standing by her but they were unable to clear the rope from the rudder and propeller.
The lifeboat launched its Y-boat and carried over cutting equipment and cut them free from the buoy rope.
26th August 2008
Padstow’s Tamar class lifeboat was tasked at 15.50 hours on Tuesday to go to the aid of a broken down motor boat.
The Padstow RNLI lifeboat ‘Spirit of Padstow’ was tasked by the Coastguard to go to the assistance of a small motor boat which had broken down off Bude. The vessel was on a trip from Swansea to Dartmouth but broke down 2 miles NW of Bude. The Bude RNLI ILB launched and took her in tow but owing to the swell it was too dangerous to tow her into Bude.
The lifeboat rendezvoused with them off Milook and took over the tow. Two of the Padstow volunteer RNLI lifeboat crew, Mike Smith and Gary Chapman were put aboard the casualty by the Bude RNLI ILB.
The motor boat was then towed back to Padstow and put on a mooring. The lifeboat then returned to the station at around 21.30 hours.
18th August 2008
Padstow’s Tamar class lifeboat was tasked at 00.30 hours this morning to go to the aid of a fishing vessel
The Padstow RNLI lifeboat was launched again this morning Monday 18th August at 00:30hrs to go to the aid of a local fishing boat that was experiencing difficulties 18 miles N.W of Trevose Head.
The 10-metre fishing vessel ‘Thomas Andrew’ with three persons on board had lost the use of one of her engines and her bilge pumps. On arrival at the scene the skipper had managed to re-start his engine and engage his bilge pumps. The lifeboat then escorted the vessel back to Padstow, arriving back at 04.10 hrs.
17th August 2008
Padstow’s Tamar class lifeboat was tasked at 17.00 hours on Sunday to go to the aid of a broken down vessel
Following the lifeboats appearance at Rock Lifeboat day the lifeboat was tasked by the Coastguard to go to the aid of a vessel in trouble off Stepper point.
A flare had been sighted from the Coast Watch lookout and a May Day relay broadcast. A helicopter was also tasked and was over the scene when the lifeboat arrived.
The casualty was found to be a 10-Metre rib that had experienced engine failure with 1 person on board about 1 mile off Stepper Point.
Two RNLI volunteer crewmembers were put on board to assist and the rib was towed back to Rock.
The lifeboat then proceeded back to Padstow to take part in the annual Sea Sunday service on the town’s quayside.
Thursday 7th August 2008
Padstow RNLI lifeboat goes to the aid of fishing vessel
Padstow’s Tamar class lifeboat was launched shortly after 15.30 hours to go to the aid of a broken down fishing vessel
The 32ft fishing boat 'Mystery' with 2 persons on board suffered engine failure and was anchored off Cambeak nr Tintagel. The vessel had left Barry Dock the week before and was enroute to Cromer in Norfolk. When the lifeboat reached the vessel the RNLI lifeboat crew passed over a tow and then brought the vessel back to Padstow arriving back at 20.00hrs.
Wednesday 30th July 2008
Padstow RNLI lifeboat goes to the aid of French Yacht
Padstow’s Tamar class lifeboat was called away from the town’s annual
Lifeboat Day to assist the occupants of a French yacht. Falmouth
coastguards tasked the lifeboat to go to the aid of a French 7.5M yacht
12 miles SW of Trevose Head.
The yacht ‘Sparky’ had left Cork in Ireland and had experienced heavy
weather the previous night. The four French occupants were cold and wet
and experiencing extreme fatigue. On arriving on scene two of the RNLI
crew were transferred to the yacht and all four of the yacht’s crew
were transferred to the lifeboat, where they were given dry clothes,
blankets and hot drinks. They stayed onboard the Lifeboat as the yacht
was towed back to Padstow. The yacht was left on a mooring as the tide
was on the ebb and the casualties were taken back to the lifeboat
station and accommodation was found for them in Padstow.
Monday 22nd July 2008
Padstow RNLI lifeboat goes to the aid of broken down fishing boat
Padstow’s Tamar class lifeboat was summoned at 17.10hrs to assist a
broken down fishing boat. The 10-metre Padstow fishing vessel ‘Viking’
with 2 persons onboard suffered gearbox failure 15 miles SW off Trevose
Head. On arrival at the scene the RNLI lifeboat crew secured a tow to
the vessel and then preceded to tow the vessel into Padstow. The
lifeboat arrived back at the station shortly after 21.00hrs.
Tuesday 1st July 2008
Padstow RNLI lifeboat goes to the aid of yacht
Padstow’s Tamar class lifeboat was summoned at 02.27 hrs to assist a
broken down yacht. The 15-metre yacht ‘Salamander’ with 3 persons
onboard radioed Falmouth Coastguard for assistance when the vessel
suffered gearbox failure. The crew sailed up to Padstow but were not
happy to enter the harbour at night under sail. Padstow’s RNLI lifeboat
‘Spirit of Padstow’ picked them up 3miles NNE of Trevose Head and towed
them into Padstow. The lifeboat returned to station at 04.35 hrs.
Spring 2008 Newsletter
the spring news letter is now available to read or download more ....
RNLI awards for Padstow lifeboat
Alan Tarby, the Coxswain of the Padstow lifeboat, is to be awarded the
Thanks of the Institution on Vellum following two dramatic yacht
rescues in June this year. Two crew volunteers, Luke Chown and
Christopher Murphy will receive framed letters of thanks from the
Chairman of the RNLI for their part in the incidents. more....