Fowey RNLI rescue injured lone yachtsman and his dog
At 2pm on Monday 31 July the pagers sounded, calling the volunteer crew members of the Fowey RNLI Lifebot Station to assist an injured man and his dog who were on a 7m motor cruiser travelling from Fowey to Penryn.
The man on the Colvic motor cruiser, Puffin, had reported an injury to his ribs, requesting medical assistance and a tow to a safe port. He called the Coastguard and was able to give a clear description of his vessel and position, which was half way between the anchored Lady Clarissa and the red and white day beacon.
The coxswain took the relief all-weather lifeboat Corinne Whitely out at speed and found the casualty two and a half miles south of Fowey Harbour.
The wind was force 5 from the south west, with a moderate swell and good visibility but also a fierce chop. One of the two volunteer crewmembers who were transferred to the casualty vessel said: 'I felt like a leaping salmon as I hung onto the bow to get the tow fixed.'
The man was checked over and declined an ambulance, though he was advised to check in with a doctor. The tow was made and the casualty brought back safely to Berrill's Yard. The lifeboat was returned to station and made ready for service by 3.30pm.
Notes to editors
The enclosed photo shows the casualty with his dog onboard the motor cruiser Puffin. Please credit RNLI/Fowey.
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For more information please contact Cath Beard, volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for Fowey RNLI on 07969 693218. For urgent calls out of hours please contact the Duty RNLI Press Officer on 01202 336789.
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The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.
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