The lifeboat was called at 3.41 pm and was on its way to the scene of the incident at 3.46. The passage across Falmouth Bay was a rough one for the lifeboat crew but they made good time and arrived on scene at 3.52 pm. There they found a Topper dinghy struggling to make its way back into Gillan Creek, and other small boats were seen against the rocks under Dennis Head.

Carefully assessing the situation the lifeboat crew escorted the Topper dinghy into the shelter of the creek before turning back to assist the others. A Laser dinghy and two windsurfers were then recovered. Three of the casualties were transferred into the lifeboat while the remaining two followed, towing the boats and equipment, which included Topper and Laser dinghies, two windsurfers and two kayaks, back into Gillan Creek using their tender.

Once it was determined that all people were accounted for and they were safe and well on the beach, the lifeboat was released to return to its station at 4.26 pm, where it arrived at 4.51 pm. Twenty minutes later it was refuelled and made ready for immediate use again.

Although well equipped for their day out on the water the families had failed to realise that conditions outside the creek were deteriorating rapidly with a gusting force 8 wind and rough and building seas. They were very grateful for the timely intervention of the Falmouth RNLI inshore lifeboat and its crew.

Notes to editors
• The crew involved in this rescue were: Dave Nicoll (Helmsman); Luke Wills and Tom Bird.