Padstow volunteer lifeboat crew go to late night aid of vessel taking on water

The volunteer crew were tasked by Falmouth Coastguard to the boat, which was 14 miles north of Padstow.

The station's Tamar class lifeboat, Spirit of Padstow, launched at 11.16pm and proceeded to intercept the casualty vessel.

Mechanic at Padstow Lifeboat Station Michael England said: ‘The ex pilot boat was making 10 knots heading towards the mouth of the estuary and their bilge pumps were coping. Our salvage pump and two crew were made ready to transfer to the casualty if required. We arrived on scene at 11.35pm and proceeded to escort the casualty towards the estuary. As the casualty was making good speed and the pumps were coping with any ingress and the water level had decreased it was decided to continue escorting them up the river.’

The crew escorted the casualty to the awaiting harbour berthing master and directed them safely to a drying berth alongside the harbour to allow them to sort out the problem they were having.

The crew returned to the lifeboat station at 12.45am.

Notes to Editor

There are no pictures or video footage from the callout.

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