At 00:07 as Falmouth Inshore Lifeboat was approaching the lifeboat station berth towing a Rigid Inflatable from the previous service, Falmouth Coastguard requested that the Inshore Lifeboat proceed to assist the 35ft French Yacht Ayesha which had reported being caught on a Lobster Pot Marker just North of Manacle Buoy. The yacht had made several attempts to clear the line but was unable to do this in the prevailing conditions.

The Inshore Lifeboat headed out the harbour and across Falmouth Bay arriving on scene at 00:21. A crewman was put onboard the yacht to access the situation, before the Inshore Lifeboat put a line onboard the yacht to try and take the weight off the Pot Marker to allow it to be freed. This proved impossible and as the line had fouled the yachts propeller and rudder it was decided that Falmouths All Weather Lifeboat should also proceed to assist.

The All Weather Lifeboat having landed its casualties at the lifeboat station from the previous headed back out of the harbour at 00:33, arriving on scene at 00:58. The Inshore Lifeboat transferred one of the lifeboat crew onto the yacht to join its own crewman and using a weighted line and the assistance of the inshore lifeboat they were able to take enough strain off the rope to free the yacht. The yacht was then taken in tow by the All Weather Lifeboat, which set a course back to Falmouth. At 01:42 once the tow was underway the Inshore Lifeboat was released to return to station.

The Inshore Lifeboat was back on its slipway by 02:03 where it was refuelled, rehoused and was ready for service by 02:30.

The 35ft French Yacht had been on passage from the Isles of Scilly when it had become fouled on the Lobster Pot Marker. The yachts skipper and his crew were well experienced and had attempted to free the line themselves and had only asked for assistance when this had failed.

An Inshore Lifeboat Service

 

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