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Boat: All Weather Lifeboat
Crew: Mark Pollard (Coxswain), John Blakeston, David Proud, Snowy Angove, Tom Bird, Neil Capper, Josh Beardmore
Location: Off Maenporth Beach, Falmouth Bay
Shout Date: 10/01/2011 - 14:22
Weather:SSW 8, Rough Sea and Heavy Swell, Moderate Visibility, Overcast with Rain

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At 14:12 Falmouth Coastguard requested that both Falmouth All Weather and Inshore Lifeboats be launched following 999 calls reporting a Red Flare off Maenporth Beach. A Rescue Helicopter from RNAS Culdrose and the Falmouth Coastguard Cliff Rescue Team were tasked to assist in the search. The Tanker Cape Daly which was at anchor in Falmouth Bay responded to the Coastguards Pan Broadcast and were able to confirm an object in the water between their position and Maenporth.

The All Weather Lifeboat left its pontoon berth at 14:22 and having rounded Pendennis Point headed for Maenporth arriving on scene at 14:35. The Inshore Lifeboat which had already arrived on scene and with directions form the Cape Daly had located and recovered a person from the water who had been clinging to his kayak. It was soon established that there had been a second kayaker and a search was instigated by the All Weather Lifeboat and the helicopter at 14:38. The Inshore Lifeboat headed towards the shelter of the Helford River to land the first casualty.

At 14:43 the helicopter located the second casualty in the water off Rosemullion Head. The All Weather Lifeboat stood by why the helicopter winched the casualty into the aircraft before the lifeboat recovered the abandoned kayak. Both casualties were suffering from mild hypothermia so having recovered the second casualty the helicopter headed to the Helford to winch the other casualty from the Inshore Lifeboat. Both casualties were in the aircraft by 14:56 and the Helicopter headed towards a landing site in Truro so that the casualties could be transferred to Treliske Hospital. The All Weather Lifeboat also headed into the Helford River where the Inshore Lifeboat transferred the other kayak to the lifeboat, before both boats headed back towards Falmouth.

The All Weather Lifeboat was back alongside its pontoon berth by 15:33. The lifeboat was then refuelled, and was ready for service by 15:50.

Although both Kayakers who had launched from Maenporth Beach were well equipped and experienced the weather conditions in Falmouth Bay were very poor with gale force conditions and a heavy sea. Thankfully the Red Flare that they fired was seen by a number of people and reported to the Coastguard. The bridge crew of the Tanker Cape Daly were instrumental in ensuring in the prevailing weather conditions that the first casualty was located quickly. With out the team work of all involved it is certain that this incident would have had ended with a tragic outcome.

Video Footage of this service can be seen at

http://www.falmouthlifeboat.co.uk/rnli-video/rescue-two-kayakers-maenpor...