At 17:42 Falmouth Coastguard requested that Falmouth Inshore Lifeboat be launched following reports that a 14ft Fishing Boat was aground in the surf at Porthbeor Beach. The Portscatho Coastguard Cliff Rescue Team was also tasked to assist.

The Inshore Lifeboat launched from her slipway at 17:48 and arrived on scene at 17:56. Two of the occupants of the boat were on the beach while the owner was in the surfing trying to hold his boat head to sea. The inshore lifeboat was anchored and then veered in towards the beach where one of the crew entered the water and swam ashore with the tow line. This was made secure to the vessel but sadly the boat had already been swamped and it proved impossible to tow it clear, so the tow line had to be cut.

The family where now trapped by the incoming tide so in view of the sea conditions it was decided the best way to get them to safety was by recovering them up the cliff which was effected by the cliff rescue team. Once the three casualties were at the top of the cliff the lifeboat crew member swam back out to the lifeboat and by 18:59 its anchor was recovered.

The Inshore Lifeboat was then tasked to assist with another rescue further up the coast which the Falmouth All Weather Lifeboat had already been launched to. The inshore lifeboat departed Porthbeor Beach at 19:00.

The family had been having a day out on Porthbeor Beach and had beached their small fishing boat. When they had gone to re-launch it as the tide came in the sea conditions had deteriorated and they had found it impossible to get clear of the surf. The boat soon became a total loss after being pounded against the rocks.

An Inshore Lifeboat Service

 

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