The lifeboat left its mooring at 11:09 pm and as they were about to be looking for a yacht with no lights or communications at night, they realised that finding the vessel was going to be difficult. The search for the yacht, going on the latest position passed by the coastguard, was carried out using radar and the keen eyes of the crew. They also fired a white parachute flare in the hope that the yachtsman would see that they were on their way to him. By 5 minutes passed midnight Lady Lesley had been found.

All that needed to be done now was to pass a tow rope and commence the long tow back to the safety of Falmouth Harbour. This they did and eventually arrived at Pendennis Marina at three o’clock in the morning.

Sailing from the Azores to the UK Lady Lesley encountered some very bad weather off the Bay of Biscay, with winds gusting to 70 knots and very rough and confused seas. This was when the yacht lost all power. The batteries were flat; she had no engine, communications or lights, but Skipper David Bussey, whose home is in Brentwood Essex, managed to continue on his way. However, when he was found off Blackhead he was extremely tired and very grateful when he saw the lights of the lifeboat heading toward him. His intentions now are to stay in the Falmouth area for as long as it takes to sort out his power problems before continuing on his way.

Notes to editors
The volunteer crew for this long rescue mission were: John Blakeston (Coxswain); David Proud (Mechanic); Andy Angove; Dave Nicoll; Neil Capper; Andy Jenkins; Adam West and Steve Bond.