At 18:44 Falmouth Coastguard requested that the Falmouth Inshore Lifeboat be launched to assist the 35ft Swedish Yacht Fia, which required assistance entering Falmouth Harbour following the failure of its engine and electrical systems. The Yacht Mrs Robinson had been asked to stand by the Fia until the arrival of the inshore lifeboat.

The Inshore Lifeboat launched from her slipway at 18:49, and headed out to Black Rock, arriving on scene at 18:56. Both yachts were located off Carricknath Point and talking to the skipper of Mrs Robinson it became apparent that the Fia had collided with his yacht while he was trying to assist them. A lifeboat crewman was placed onboard the Fia to assess the situation while the inshore lifeboat returned to the other yacht to check the extent of the damage, which was confirmed as superficial.

The inshore lifeboat then escorted the Fia under sail until she was off the Docks where she was taken in tow, being safely moored alongside the Port Pendennis Marina at 19:16.

The Inshore Lifeboat was back on its slipway by 19:28 where it was refuelled, and was ready for service by 19:43.

The Swedish Yacht, which had two persons onboard, had been on passage from Grand Canaries to Scandinavia when she had suffered engine failure in the approaches to the English Channel and had been unable to charge her batteries. The skipper was concerned for the safety of his vessel at night so had diverted to Falmouth where they had then required assistance to enter the harbour.

An Inshore Lifeboat Service

 

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