At 13:57 Falmouth Coastguard requested that Falmouth Inshore Lifeboat be launched following reports of a person in difficulties in the water off Greenbank Quay.

The Inshore Lifeboat launched from her slipway at 14:04 and headed up the harbour towards Greenbank Quay. The Coastguard then advised that the person had been seen to climb onboard a moored yacht. Once on scene at 14:09 the casualty was soon located. He was found to be suffering from hypothermia and had swallowed a considerable amount of seawater. An ambulance was requested and the casualty was taken back to the lifeboat station as quickly as possible. He was landed at the station at 14:15 and treated by members of the lifeboat crew prior to the arrival of Paramedic Rapid Response Vehicle. He was later transferred to an ambulance and taken to Treliske Hospital for further treatment.

The Inshore Lifeboat was back on its slipway by 14:27 where it was refuelled, rehoused and was ready for service by 14:42.

The casualty had tried swimming out to one of the boats off Greenbank Quay to help a Seagull, which had become entangled. The cold water had reduced his capability to swim and he had been unable to keep his head above water going under a couple of times, but luckily he had managed to grab hold of one of the yachts and pull himself onboard where he collapsed. The inshore lifeboat crew's quick response and their actions following their assessment of the casualties condition certainly helped to save his life.

An Inshore Lifeboat Service

 

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