At 15:34 Falmouth Coastguard requested that Falmouth Inshore Lifeboat be launched following a VHF call from the 16ft Open Boat Waho reporting that their main outboard had failed and despite using their auxiliary outboard that they were not making any headway so required a tow. There were no other boats in the immediate area and although a local fishing boat had offered to assist on its way back into the Helford it was decided in view of the weather conditions to launch the Inshore Lifeboat to assist.

The Inshore Lifeboat launched from her slipway at 15:40 and headed out across Falmouth Bay, before taking the inner passage through the Manacle Rocks. At 15:56 the Inshore Lifeboat was alongside the casualty and a lifeboat crewman was placed onboard with a radio, to assist in setting up the tow. At 16:04 the boat was undertow back towards Falmouth where it was safely placed on the slipway at the Grove Place Dinghy Park at 17:11. The Inshore Lifeboat was then released to return to station.

The Inshore Lifeboat was back on its slipway by 17:18 where it was refuelled, rehoused and was ready for service by 17:34.

The 16ft open boat with three people onboard had been out for a days fishing off the Manacles when its main outboard failed to start due to an electrical fault. They had then used their auxiliary outboard but this did not have sufficient power to overcome the strong ebb tide and the offshore wind. They had then deployed their anchor and contacted the Coastguard to ask for assistance.

An Inshore Lifeboat Service

 

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