At 17:02 Falmouth Coastguard requested that Falmouth Inshore Lifeboat be launched following reports of a capsized sailing dinghy off the Prince of Wales Pier. Before the crew had mustered at the station it was confirmed that the Flushing Ferry which was by coincidence being operated by one of the lifeboat crew had recovered the two casualties from the water and had landed them ashore so the launch of the Inshore Lifeboat was put on hold.

Attempts to recover the dinghy by the ferry were unsuccessful and as no other boats that could assist were in the area it was decided at 17:20 that the Inshore Lifeboat should launch to recover the dinghy to prevent it causing further calls at later stage.

The Inshore Lifeboat launched from her slipway at 17:31 and located the capsized dinghy off the Prince of Wales Pier at 17:36. The Topper dinghy was righted and towed to the Grove Place Dinghy Park where it was handed over to its owners who were extremely grateful, the Inshore Lifeboat being released to return to station at 17:55.

The Inshore Lifeboat was back on its slipway by 18:00 where it was refuelled, rehoused and was ready for service by 18:15.

An Inshore Lifeboat Service