At 11:57 Falmouth Coastguard requested that Falmouth Inshore Lifeboat be launched following a report of a sail and mast sticking out of the water at the entrance to St Just Creek.

The Inshore Lifeboat launched from her slipway at 12:03 and arrived on scene at St Just at 12:06. The mast and sail was spotted with about 3ft showing above the surface. The mast was recovered onto the inshore lifeboat where it was confirmed that it was a Pico Sail that had been partly furled, but that the top of the mast showed signs of having recently been in the mud indicating it may have come from a capsized boat. In view of this information a search of the Carrick Roads was carried out while the Falmouth Coastguard Mobile was tasked to go to Restronguet Sailing Club to see if they knew of any missing Picos.

At 12:34 the inshore lifeboat had completed its search of the Carrick Roads and joined the Coastguard Mobile at Restronguet Sailing Club. Following discussions with various members of the club it was believed that the mast may have come from the Mylor Sailing School so the Inshore Lifeboat headed up to Mylor Harbour where the owner of the sailing school was able to confirm that they had lost the mast the previous day. The mast and sail was handed over to the sailing club and at 12:42 the Inshore Lifeboat was released to return to station.

The Inshore Lifeboat was back on its slipway by 12:57 where it was refuelled, rehoused and was ready for service by 13:10.

A number of the sailing schools boats had broken free and capsized in the Carrick Roads during the previous day, although all the boats had been recovered it appears that one of the masts and sails had detached and stuck in the mud only to drift free overnight.

An Inshore Lifeboat Service

 

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