Porthleven Lifeboat Day was another unprecedented success, with thousands of visitors enjoying the work of the RNLI and helping support future rescues.
A day of family activities took place around the harbour, organised by the port’s branch of the RNLI.
Gill Moore, secretary and chairman of Porthleven RNLI, said: “It was an absolutely fantastic day. There were lots and lots of people there, and everybody seemed to have a thoroughly enjoyable day.
“We were so very lucky with the weather; it was warm, hot sunshine and it was absolutely beautiful.”
She estimated that there were “several thousand” visitors to the event, adding that many holidaymakers booked their trip to coincide with lifeboat day.
The main attraction was an air sea rescue demonstration involving a helicopter from RNAS Culdrose and the Penlee lifeboat Ivan Ellen, under the control of coxswain Patch Adams.
Tamsin Thomas, from the county RNLI, was compere for the demonstration.
Visitors were also able to look around a variety of stalls, take part in a raffle with 27 prizes, watch the water polo, gigs and working boats parade, and listen to music from the ironically named Ladies’ Terrible Choir – which was actually very well received by the crowds after both sets.
One of the old favourites, the Dash II ‘lifeboat’, was back on the slipway giving rides into the harbour to splash-happy passengers.
During the afternoon Ms Moore presented, on behalf of the RNLI branch, a painting by Porthleven artist Ron Craven to Lieutenant Commander Rob O’Kane of 771 search and rescue squadron at RNAS Culdrose.
Ms Moore said: “It’s in our gratitude to 771 squadron for their bravery and tenacity for the work they do. They work very closely with the RNLI.”
Search and rescue operations are due to be taken over by a private company in 2015, meaning and end to the service’s life at RNAS Culdrose.
“It’s just a thank you very much to the search and rescue for all the work they do,” she added.
Ms Moore thanked everybody that helped on the day, including the individuals and businesses who donated raffle prizes and sponsored the problem.
She also paid tribute to lifeboat coxswain Patch Adams and his crew, the RNLI lifeguards without whom the event could not go ahead, and the coastguards for attending and “helping out tremendously.”
“I’d like to thank my committee for their extremely hard work; they worked nonstop all day,” she added.
Taking almost a year to organise, the team behind the event will soon be back making plans for the 2014 lifeboat day, set to take place on August 10.
Ms Moore said the team was always short of volunteer helpers on the day and appealed for people to come forward and cover breaks on the day next year.
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