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Boat: All Weather Lifeboat
Crew: Coxswain:Alan Barnes Crew:Peter Wood, Tim Julian, John Murray, Chris Price, David Proud,Alan Rowe, Alistair Heane, Dr Richard James.
Location: 13 miles South East of Falmouth
Shout Date: 30/01/2003 (All day)
Weather:NE 7-8, Rough Sea, Moderate Visibility, Partly Cloudy

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At 21:22 Falmouth Coastguard requested that Falmouth Offshore Lifeboat be launched to assist in the search after an Emergency Distress Beacon signal had been detected by satellite. The beacon was registered to a 21ft yacht and was in a position was 13 miles South East of Falmouth. A Rescue Helicopter from RNAS Culdrose and other vessels had also been tasked to assist.

The Offshore Lifeboat left her berth at 21:36 and arrived in the search area at 22:20. Although the sea conditions were poor, a joint search was commenced by the lifeboat and helicopter, and at 22:28 the 21ft Yacht ""242"" was located. The single-handed yacht which was on a qualification passage for a transatlantic race, had been dismasted. Due to the prevailing weather conditions and the state of the mast and rigging, it was decided that the sole occupant should be taken off and the yacht should be abandoned. Through the very skilful boat handling of Coxswain Alan Barnes the lifeboat was manoeuvred into a position where 2nd Coxswain Peter Wood was able to grab the casualty and haul him onboard the lifeboat. At 22:32 the casualty had been recovered to the lifeboat and after a quick check up was found to be well. The lifeboat then started the return journey to Falmouth, leaving the yacht to the elements.

The Offshore Lifeboat was back alongside its pontoon berth by 23:20, where it was refuelled and ready for service by 23:45.

The following day the yacht was sighted by a local fishing boat and was towed back to the Helford River.