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Boat: All Weather Lifeboat
Crew: Mark Pollard (Coxswain), David Proud, Alan Rowe, Alistair Heane, Dave Nicoll, Phil Rogers, John Lower, Luke Wills, Tom Napper
Location: Search area 7 to 14 miles South East of Falmouth
Shout Date: 11/01/2007 (All day)
Weather:SW 9, Very Rough Sea, Heavy Swell, Moderate Visibility, Overcast

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At 11:11 Falmouth Coastguard requested that Falmouth All Weather Lifeboat be launched following a report of a person overboard from the Russian Bulk Carrier Vera Maretskaya (16,502 GRT). The missing person, a female steward had not been seen for 2 hours. The ship had been heading in very poor weather conditions from the English Channel to Falmouth for bunkers. The Lizard Lifeboat, the Coastguard Emergency Towing Vessel Anglian Princess, and two Royal Navy search and rescue helicopters from RNAS Culdrose were also tasked to assist in the search.

Falmouths All Weather Lifeboat left its berth at 11:21 and headed for a position 7 miles South East of Falmouth to commence its search. The Falmouth Lifeboat was requested to search an area between 7 and 14 miles South East of Falmouth along the track the vessel had taken when approaching Falmouth. The Lizard Lifeboat searched from 14 miles South East of Falmouth due South for another 7 miles again following the track of the vessel had taken.

Falmouth Lifeboat arrived on scene and commenced its search at 11:46, with The Lizard lifeboat commencing its search at 12:23. A track line search was carried out along the original track of the vessel, with the search area being extended to the North East. Weather conditions on scene were very poor with a severe gale and very heavy seas of 30-40ft in height. At 15:14 the search was terminated by the Coastguard as the survival time for a person in the water had been exceeded, the Falmouth Lifeboat being released to return to its station. During this time the lifeboat had searched a distance of 31 miles in very poor weather conditions.

The All Weather Lifeboat was back alongside its pontoon berth by 15:50. The lifeboat was then refuelled, and was ready for service by 16:15.