Falmouth lifeboat called out to assist with yacht taking on water in the harbour
On Saturday 28 April, Falmouth’s inshore lifeboat and volunteer crew were requested to assist a yacht taking on water in Falmouth harbour.
Launching at 09.27 am, with Neil Capper (Helmsman), Elliot Holman and Jake Ingleby, the inshore lifeboat Eve Pank arrived and found the vessel extremely low in the water, having taken on over a metre of sea water. A crew member was placed on board with a salvage pump to stem the flow of water. The inshore Lifeboat headed back to the Lifeboat Station to collect the larger salvage pump from the all-weather Lifeboat. Having returned to the yacht this second pump was placed on board the yacht also and the water level with in the vessel started to recede. The station's boarding boat was also launched to assist with extra fuel if needed.
By 10:45 am the water level had been reduced sufficiently to identify the issue and be temporarily fixed. With the yacht no longer taking on water, the inshore Lifeboat towed the yacht to the Falmouth Marina in Penryn River where a lift out had been arranged.
Once the yacht was safely moored alongside the marina pontoon, the Inshore Lifeboat returned to the station and was refuelled and ready for service by 12.00 pm.
Key facts about the RNLI
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.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.
Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.