At 15:42 Falmouth Coastguard requested that Falmouth Inshore Lifeboat be launched following a report from the passenger ferry Enterprise II of an overturned Speedboat with three persons in the water off Castle Buoy.

The Inshore Lifeboat launched from her slipway at 15:48 and was soon advised that the casualties had been recovered onto the Enterprise II, which was heading back towards Falmouth. The Inshore Lifeboat arrived alongside the ferry at 15:51 and placed a crewman onboard to check the casualties condition. It was established that they were all suffering from shock and the effects of hypothermia and would require urgent medical attention. In view of this they were transferred to the Inshore Lifeboat and were taken back to the lifeboat station where they were landed at 15:56. They were treated at the boathouse until the ambulance arrived and were then taken to Treliske Hospital for further assessment and treatment.

The Inshore Lifeboat was then retasked at 16:03 to assist in the recovery of the upturned speedboat. Arriving back on scene at 16:08 it was found that a local fishing boat had got a line of the speedboat and was trying to tow it back towards St Mawes. The St Mawes Harbourmasters rigid inflatable was also in attendance and with the assistance of one of the lifeboat crew the tow was transferred to the rigid inflatable, and the Inshore Lifeboat then escorted them until they had rounded Lugo Rock and were in the more sheltered waters of St Mawes Harbour before at 16:26 the Inshore Lifeboat was released to return to station.

The Inshore Lifeboat was back on its slipway by 16:35 where it was refuelled, rehoused and was ready for service by 16:50.

The speedboat had been on its way from Falmouth to the Helford River when it had become swamped in the rough seas and eventually turned over leaving all three persons in the water. None of them was wearing a lifejacket and at least one could not swim, having to be to be kept afloat by one of the others until they were all rescued by the crew of the Enterprise II which had luckily spotted their upturned boat. The crew of the Enterprise II should be highly commended for their prompt action and the recovery of the three of the casualties in difficult conditions, without these actions it is very likely that all three people could have lost their lives.

An Inshore Lifeboat Service

 

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