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Boat: All Weather Lifeboat
Crew: John Blakeston (Coxswain), David Proud, Snowy Angove, Dave Nicoll, Andy Jenkin, Steve Bond, Neil Capper, Adam West
Location: Between Black Head and the Lizard
Shout Date: 23/06/2011 - 22:53
Weather:SW 3, Slight Sea and Moderate Swell, Good Visibility, Overcast

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At 22:53 Falmouth Coastguard requested that Falmouth All Weather Lifeboat be launched to assist the 47ft single handed yacht Lady Lesley which was believed to be between Black Head and the Lizard. The yacht had suffered complete electrical failure while still 400 miles out in the Atlantic on a passage from the Azores and its skipper had been hand steering for five days without a break.

The All Weather Lifeboat left its pontoon berth at 23:05 and headed down to Black Head where a radar search was commenced at 23:48. A target was soon identified in a position 4 miles South of Black Head and on further investigation this was confirmed at 00:05 to be the Lady Lesley. Once the yacht had furled its sails a tow line was prepared and passed to the yacht and by 00:27 the yacht was under tow for Falmouth. The yacht was safely placed alongside the Port Pendennis Marina at 03:10, the Lifeboat then being released to return to its station.

The All Weather Lifeboat was back alongside its pontoon berth by 03:15. The lifeboat was then refuelled and was ready for service by 03:30.

The single handed yacht had been through some very poor conditions on its passage from the Azores and had suffered complete electrical failure which meant that it could not start its engine, had no radio, lights or navigation equipment and was unable to use the automatic pilot. The skipper had maintained contact with the Coastguard using a Satellite phone but the Coastguard had become concerned for his well being as he approached the coast so they had launched the lifeboat to assist him into Falmouth. Despite the ordeal the skipper had been through he was in good spirits and was very appreciative of the help he had had from both the Lifeboat and the Coastguard.