At 08:24 Falmouth Coastguard requested that Falmouth Inshore Lifeboat be launched following a VHF call from the skipper of the Yacht Andale which was moored near Prince of Wales Pier in Falmouth Inner Harbour. He had reported that his dinghy had broken free and he was going to try to recover it despite the very poor weather conditions. The Falmouth Coastguard Mobile was also tasked to assist.

The Inshore Lifeboat launched from her slipway at 08:30 and headed out into the harbour to try and locate the yacht. Once on scene at 08:35 an initial search of the area failed to locate the yacht but the inflatable dinghy was spotted against the Packet Quays. Searching upwind from this location the yacht was located on one of the visitors moorings with its skipper still onboard. Having ascertained that he was safe the inshore lifeboat returned to recover the dinghy, which was towed out to the yacht and handed back to the skipper at 09:00, the inshore lifeboat being then released to return to station.

The Inshore Lifeboat was back on its slipway by 09:05 where it was refuelled, rehoused and was ready for service by 09:15.

Conditions in the harbour were very poor at the time of the VHF call and the coastguard were extremely concerned for the skippers well being. Very wisely he had decided not to enter the water to try and recover his dinghy and had waited for assistance to arrive. The person involved lives onboard the 40ft yacht Andale and this was his only means of getting ashore.

An Inshore Lifeboat Service

 

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