Watchkeepers at NCI St Ives noticed two adults on a paddleboard with no lifejackets struggling off Porthgwidden beach and drifting out to sea. The paddleboarders then started waving and mouthing “Help”. Our watchkeepers used a megaphone to reassure them that was rescue being organised. The Coastguard were alerted by 999 and details passed on. Falmouth Coastguard put out a Pan Pan* and a local trip boat responded and picked up the two adults and their paddleboard and returned them safely to Porthgwidden.

*Pan Pan – Pan-Pan calls are used for urgent situations that are not life-threatening such as a pleasure craft is broken down, out of gas, or lost in fog.