At 11:34 Falmouth Coastguard requested that both Falmouth Inshore and All Weather Lifeboats be launched following a call from the skipper of the single-handed fishing boat Celestial Dawn reporting that he was suffering from a heart condition and required assistance. The vessel was 8 miles South East of Zone Point. A helicopter from RNAS Culdrose was also tasked to assist along with other fishing boats.

The Inshore Lifeboat launched from her slipway at 11:38 and once clear of the harbour set a course for the vessels position, arriving on scene at 11:55. Two lifeboat crew went onboard the fishing vessel to assess the casualties condition and administer first aid. The helicopter arrived on scene at 12:04 and lowered its winchman and a stretcher to the fishing boat. The All Weather Lifeboat arrived at 12:07 and prepared to go alongside the fishing boat to transfer the casualty to the lifeboat to make the winching operation easier, but at 12:20 the pilot of the helicopter decided to winch the casualty directly from the stern of the fishing boat, the casualty being in the aircraft and on his way to Treliske Hospital by 12:28.

The Fishing Vessel Golden Harvest II arrived on scene at 12:40 and the Inshore Lifeboat transferred one of the fishing boats crew across to the Celestial Dawn. At 12:50 it was agreed that the All Weather Lifeboat could be released to return to station, while the Inshore Lifeboat remained on scene to await the arrival of the skippers brother on the fishing boat Girl Rachel who was then transferred by the Inshore Lifeboat to the Celestial Dawn to recover its gear and take it back into harbour. At 13:30 the recovery of the fishing boats gear was well underway so the Inshore Lifeboat was released to return to station.

The Inshore Lifeboat was back on its slipway by 13:50 where it was refuelled, rehoused and was ready for service by 14:10.

The single-handed skipper of the 38ft Fishing Boat Celestial Dawn had been trawling when he was taken ill and had collapsed. When he had regained consciousness he had contacted Falmouth Coastguard who dispatched both lifeboats and a helicopter. The inshore lifeboat arrived on scene within 21 minutes of the initial call and administered oxygen and first aid, before the casualty was airlifted to Treliske Hospital. The All Weather Lifeboat stood by the vessel unless further assistance was required.

An Inshore Lifeboat Service

 

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