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Fowey lifeboat and coastguard helicopter rescue injured man on yacht

Lifeboats News Release

On March 28 at 11.45am, Falmouth coastguard requested the launch of the Fowey RNLI all-weather lifeboat in response to a report by a member of the public, who had spotted a 30ft yacht off Polkerris harbour.

The yacht was at anchor in very rough seas and high winds. St Austell coastguard were in attendance on the shore and had made contact with the vessel, ascertaining that there was one person on board who had sustained a head injury and was disorientated. The Fowey all-weather lifeboat made best speed to the incident, arriving on scene at 12.15. As the seas were too rough to put a crew member on board, the Fowey crew used a grappling hook to pick up the yacht’s anchor. A bow tow was established using the yacht’s anchor chain and the lifeboat slowly towed the yacht away from the shoreline. Coastguard helicopter assistance was then requested and by 1.32pm the casualty had been winched aboard the helicopter and taken to safety. The Fowey lifeboat then towed the yacht back into Fowey harbour.

Fowey RNLI

Fowey all-weather lifeboat heading out from Fowey harbour

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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For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter 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.

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