Three shouts in 12 hours for Falmouth RNLI crew

The first request to launch came at 12.55am, when the inshore lifeboat, and shortly afterwards the larger all-weather lifeboat, were tasked to launch to reports of shouts for help being heard from Penryn River, near Greenbank.

The inshore Lifeboat soon located the casualty on a pontoon, having been recovered from the water by a member of the public. The casualty had fallen into the water from a tender, and luckily, several people heard their calls for help, with one member of the public launching a paddle board to help them from the water to a nearby pontoon. Once on scene, two volunteer crew were placed on the pontoon to provide casualty care. The all-weather lifeboat soon arrived on scene with a doctor on board who is one of the lifeboat volunteer crew, and the individual was transferred across and taken to Prince of Wales Pier and into the care of the waiting ambulance paramedics The all-weather lifeboat made its way back to the station, whilst the inshore lifeboat returned to scene to check the casualty vessel was secured, and then was also released. Both lifeboats were refuelled and made ready for service by 3.00am Sunday morning.

Just over three hours later at 6.42am, the request came for the inshore lifeboat to launch. Leaving the station, and making their way towards the Helford river, the inshore lifeboat crew found a 12m yacht caught on fishing gear near Nare Head. Crew were put aboard the yacht to assist in disentangling the equipment, and due to potential rudder and engine damage, the yacht was towed to across Mylor Harbour.

Having made the inshore lifeboat ready for service by 10.45am, the third shout of the day came 20 minutes later, when Falmouth Coastguard tasked the lifeboat to launch following a DSC distress call. The inshore lifeboat launched to a motorboat that was believed to have suffered engine failure near Porthmellin Head and escorted the vessel to St Mawes Harbour. The inshore lifeboat and crew were then stood down and returned to Falmouth lifeboat station for some much deserved rest.

Volunteer lifeboat crew involved in Sunday’s shouts were: Carl Beardmore (Deputy 2nd Coxswain), Dave Nicoll, Sandy Procter, Tamsin Mulcahy, Andy Edwards, Caden Harris, Jemima Henstridge-Blows, Neil Capper (Helmsman), Nick Head, Tamara Brookes, Joe Amps, Chris Simpson

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

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.