Two shouts in one day for Falmouth RNLI lifeboat volunteer crew

The inshore lifeboat Eve Pank was launched at 10.10am with Luke Wills (helm), Tom Bird and Nick Head. The lifeboat proceeded to approximately 50 metres off Gyllyngvase beach, located and recovered an unattended kayak floating in the water. Once the kayak was picked up, the volunteer crew conducted a search from Swanpool up to Pendennis before returning to the station. Once refuelled, the inshore lifeboat was ready for service at 11.40 am.

Although the unaccompanied kayak was a false alarm, it was made with good intention, as there may have been a missing person. Calling 999 and asking for the Coastguard was the correct response in this situation.

The second call-out of the day came that afternoon, with the all-weather lifeboat Richard Cox-Scott launched at 15.39 pm and proceeding to the Helford River. The inshore lifeboat Eve Pank was paged and launched at 16.03 pm to assist with the shout.

On the Helford River, near Durgan beach, a visiting nine metre yacht had drifted on its moorings towards rocks and run aground. With one person aboard, lines were attached to the yacht to await the incoming tide. Once refloated, the lifeboat took the yacht to a mooring off Helford Passage as there was no notable damage to the hull or water leaking.

The all-weather lifeboat volunteer crew consisted of Jonathan Blakestone (coxswain), Andy Jenkin, David Nicoll, Tom Bird, Jamie Connolly and Will Allen, with the inshore lifeboat crewed by Nick Head (helm), Neil Capper and Jamie Wakefield.

Both lifeboats returned to Falmouth RNLI station with the all-weather lifeboat ready for service at 19.50 pm and the inshore lifeboat ready for service at 19.55 pm.

• When going out on the water, whether its a kayak or a yacht, always carry a means of calling for help and keep it within reach: If it can't be reached in an emergency, it's no help.