Padstow RNLI lifeboat crew launch to yacht with injured crew member

The UK Coastguard Rescue Helicopter 924 was tasked to help locate the yacht as its exact position was unknown. The helicopter located the yacht and illuminated the area. Padstow lifeboat arrived on scene at 10.10pm, and two of the lifeboat crew went aboard the yacht to assess the casualty.

The casualty was transferred to the lifeboat and taken to Padstow lifeboat station. Two of the volunteer lifeboat crew stayed with the yacht and the remaining yacht crew whilst the helicopter stood by.

On returning to the lifeboat station, the lifeboat crew assessed the casualty and handed her over to the ambulance crew. She was assessed by the ambulance crew, and no further treatment was needed.

Padstow RNLI lifeboat re-launched at 11.10pm and returned to the yacht, where a second member of the yacht crew was now feeling cold and unwell, so was taken onboard the lifeboat. The volunteer lifeboat crew took the yacht under tow and once the tide was high enough, and it was deemed safe to do so, the crew towed the yacht over the bar and safely into Padstow Harbour.

The Padstow crew at the station took the original casualty to Padstow Harbour, where she joined the rest of the yacht crew who were now all feeling better and were safely in the Harbour at 3.50am.

The Padstow RNLI crew returned to the station at 4:45am.

Coxswain Richard Pitman said ‘It was a long night in challenging conditions, but there was great team work from our lifeboat crew and the Coastguard helicopter crew.’

Notes to editors

Image showing the yacht and Padstow RNLI lifeboat The Spirit of Padstow in Padstow Harbour.

Credit: Ryan Masters, Padstow Lifeboat Crew

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