Falmouth RNLI volunteer lifeboat goes to the aid of 80 ton beam trawler.
On Thursday 9th March Falmouth coastguard requested the launch of the all-weather lifeboat to assist the Manx Ranger, an 18 metre long trawler with two crewmen onboard, that had picked up a rope around its propeller and was drifting powerless some 5 miles to the South East of St Anthony lighthouse.
The pagers were activated at 1.45 pm and the Richard Cox Scott, the Falmouth Severn Class all-weather lifeboat, was on its way to the scene by 1.52 pm. Approximately half an hour later the lifeboat located the vessel and came alongside her to quickly established a tow.
Weather conditions were good at the time with only a light breeze and a slight sea, so the tow back to Falmouth Harbour was undertaken quickly and without incident.
On arrival in the harbour the Manx Ranger was safely secured at Pendennis Marina to await underwater inspection by specialists.
Although this service was carried out without mishap it illustrates that, after a lengthy period of what appears to be inactivity at the lifeboat station, the launch and tow went like clockwork, due to the extensive training that the crewmen undertake in all aspects of their job.
Notes to editors
- The crew on this mission were; John Blakeston, Coxswain; Andy Jenkin, Sandy Proctor; Luke Wills; Tom Bird; Jamie Wakefield; Josh Beardmore; and Neil Capper.
- The pictures show the trawler being towed back to harbour. Please credit RNLI/Falmouth lifeboat.
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