Falmouth Inshore Lifeboat was returning across Falmouth Bay after attending the Helford River Regatta when at 15:03 Falmouth Coastguard requested that the Inshore Lifeboat proceed to Gerrans Bay to investigate a report of a missing swimmer. A sailor in a Pico Dinghy had alerted Portscatho NCI Lookout that the swimmer he had lost contact with the swimmer that he had been escorting and was concerned for his well being. Portscatho Coastguard Mobile was also tasked to assist.

The Inshore Lifeboat arrived on scene at 15:20 and soon located the Pico Sailing Dinghy in the middle of Gerrans Bay. The sailor confirmed that the missing swimmer was very experienced and had entered the water at 12:30, the dinghy having lost contact with him at 13:30. This information was passed to Falmouth Coastguard and in view of the time the swimmer had been missing the Inshore Lifeboat requested further assistance of the Falmouth All Weather lifeboat and a Helicopter. At 15:25 the Coastguard advised that the swimmer had made it safely ashore and was at the NCI Lookout.

In view of the prevailing weather conditions the Inshore Lifeboat was then tasked to escort the Pico Dinghy back to the Porthcurnick Beach. The dinghy reached the beach at 15:43 to be met by the Portscatho Coastguard Mobile, the Inshore Lifeboat being then released to return to station.

While returning to station at 15:48 as the Inshore Lifeboat passed Governor Buoy it was diverted to an incident involving a windsurfer off St Mawes.

The missing person was a very experienced long distance swimmer, but in the prevailing weather conditions with a 4-6ft swell he had got separate from the Pico Dinghy that was escorting him.

An Inshore Lifeboat Service

 

- - - Sponsored Links - - -