At 08:53 Falmouth Coastguard requested that Falmouth Inshore Lifeboat be launched following a call from the fishing boat Talisman reporting that while they had been hauling their pots what appeared to be an unexploded mine had surfaced close behind the boat. The Royal Naval bomb disposal team from Plymouth were also alerted.

The Inshore Lifeboat launched from her slipway at 09:01, and headed out into Falmouth Bay locating the fishing vessel 1 mile east of Rosemullion Head. The fishing boats crew pointed out the object, which at a distance certainly looked very convincing. The inshore lifeboat took up station at a safe distance from the object and using binoculars was able to ascertain that the object was probably a Yokohama Fender floating with only the end above the surface.

Using one of the lifeboat crews mobile phone, a photo was taken of the object and this was sent to the bomb disposal team in Plymouth who at 10:00 confirmed that the object was not explosive ordinance, so the Inshore Lifeboat was then requested to attempt to tow the object back into Falmouth to prevent further false alarms.

The fender was eventually safely delivered to the Grove Place Dinghy Park at 11:10 where it was disposed of by the Harbour Commissioners staff, the inshore lifeboat being released to return to station.

The crew of the fishing boat Talisman had acted correctly by advising the Coastguard and remaining clear of the object, which at a distance had certainly looked like an unexploded mine.

The Inshore Lifeboat was back on its slipway by 11:25 where it was refuelled, and was ready for service by 11:50.

An Inshore Lifeboat Service

 

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