At 23:06 Falmouth Coastguard requested that both the Falmouth Inshore and All Weather Lifeboat be launched after the Coastguard had received a mobile phone call and then a VHF call from a Rigid Inflatable Bowash with six people onboard reporting that they had hit August Rock, causing three people to be thrown in the water and at least one person a serious head injury. A Rescue Helicopter from RNAS Culdrose was also tasked.

The Inshore Lifeboat launched from her slipway at 23:12 and arrived on scene at 23:22. The rigid inflatable was located drifting on the shoreward side of August Rock. It was found that the people who had been thrown from the boat had managed to get back onboard, but one person had suffered what was considered to be a serious head injury, and others were in shock.

The Inshore Lifeboat strapped the boat alongside and a crewman treated the injured people while the boat was towed out into open water where the casualties and the lifeboat crewman were transferred to the All Weather Lifeboat at 23:38. Once onboard the All Weather Lifeboat further checks were carried out and it was decided that the person with the head injury should be evacuated by helicopter.

The Inshore Lifeboat then proceeded to tow the Rigid Inflatable back to the lifeboat station. They were just arriving at the pontoon berth when Falmouth Coastguard requested that the Inshore Lifeboat proceed to assist a French Yacht in difficulties off the Manacle Rocks. The Rigid Inflatable was dropped off at the pontoon at 00:07 and the Inshore Lifeboat having collected another crewman proceeded to the new incident.

The 18ft Rigid Inflatable with two adults and four children onboard had been returning to Gillan Creek in the Helford after a night out in Falmouth. They had hit the August Rock Buoy while travelling at a considerable speed throwing the three people into the water and badly injuring one of the adults. Luckily they had all been wearing lifejackets and had been able to raise the alarm quickly.

An Inshore Lifeboat Service

 

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