Fowey lifeboat crew rescue boat taking on water
On Saturday 24 August Fowey volunteer lifeboat crew launched their all-weather lifeboat at 12.17pm. They had been tasked by Falmouth coastguard to locate and assist a sailing vessel taking on water 5 miles south of Fowey Harbour.
The casualty vessel’s pumps were struggling to keep up with the water ingress. Once on scene crew member, Christian 'Branch' Philp, was transferred to the vessel to assess the situation.
After an initial examination the source of the leak was thought to probably be the vessel’s fore hatch. The boat had been sailing into moderate seas and taking water over the bow as she sailed towards Falmouth. Once the course was altered towards Fowey and the sea came further onto the beam, her pumps were able to keep up with the water in her bilges.
The lifeboat then escorted her to Fowey where she was secured to a visitors’ pontoon at 3.05pm.
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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