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Boat: All Weather Lifeboat
Crew: David Proud (Coxswain), Oliver Lewis, Diane Bush, Tom Bird, Tom Napper, Jonathan Hackwell, Mark Richard
Location: 2 miles South of Pendennis Point
Shout Date: 27/08/2009 - 12:04
Weather:NW 3, Slight Sea & Swell, Good Visibility, Sunny Periods

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At 11:57 Falmouth Coastguard requested that Falmouth All Weather Lifeboat be launched following a distress call from the 37ft Catamaran Camelot which was 2 miles South of Pendennis Point stating it was taking water following a collision with the Fishing Vessel Hayley Marie. The Pilot Boat Arrow and a number of other vessels also responded to the distress call and proceeded to the scene.

The All Weather Lifeboat left its pontoon berth at 12:04 and arrived on scene at 12:15. It was soon confirmed that all five people onboard the Catamaran and their two dogs were accounted for, the two women having been taken onboard the Pilot Boat Arrow while the remaining three people were in the vessels tender standing by the catamaran which by this stage was listing heavily with one hull submerged.

Two lifeboat crew were placed onboard the catamaran to assess the situation, and having located the vessels liferaft this was then inflated under the coach roof of the boat to provide additional buoyancy. A towline was then attached and the catamaran was towed very carefully back into Falmouth where it was placed on the Port Pendennis Shipyard slipway, the lifeboat being released to return to station at 14:42.

The All Weather Lifeboat was back alongside its pontoon berth by 14:55. The lifeboat was ready for service by 15:15.

The Catamaran Camelot and the Fishing Vessel Hayley Marie had both been in Falmouth Bay when the collision occurred which left a large hole in the port hull of the catamaran, allowing it to fill with water very quickly. Luckily other vessels were in the area and the occupants were recovered safely. The quick thinking and hard work of the lifeboat crew ultimately saved the vessel.