Falmouth Lifeboats come to aid of unconscious skipper

Just after 11am, during duties at a local public event, Falmouth's inshore lifeboat and crew were re-tasked to reports of an unconscious skipper at the helm of a small day boat near Mylor. Multiple calls came in to the Coastguard when it was noticed that the boat was still under power and the individual could be seen hanging over the side with his head in the water.

The Coastguard rescue helicopter based at Newquay which was on exercise nearby was diverted to land near Mylor, and Falmouth Coastguard Rescue Team, Devon and Cornwall Police and Southwest Ambulance Service also responded to the incident.

Other vessels in the vicinity responded quickly to the MAYDAY relay on VHF radio and a nearby boater was able to catch up with the vessel and pull the kill cord out to stop the engine.

The Falmouth inshore lifeboat's crew recovered the man from his vessel, and drove in towards the shore to transfer the casualty to the rescue helicopter, when he was transferred to hospital. Falmouth's all-weather lifeboat also launched and stood by until all was accounted for.

Falmouth Inshore Lifeboat Helm Neil Capper said: "This was a quick response from all emergency services, and the casualty was dealt with in a very professional manner given the nature of the call."

Useful safety tips from RNLI.org regarding yacht sailing and motorboating:

• Always wear an appropriate lifejacket.
• Always carry a means of calling and signalling for help.
• Ensure there is an emergency action plan in place and everybody has an onboard briefing (in particular on the location and use of the safety equipment, including the spare kill cord for powerboats).
• Get the right level of training for your craft.
• Always check the weather and tide times.
• Make sure someone ashore knows where you are going and who to call if you don't return on time.
• Always drive your boat at a speed that is appropriate to the weather conditions and to the environment you are operating in.

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.

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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

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