At 19:28 Falmouth Coastguard requested that Falmouth Inshore Lifeboat be launched following a 999 call from the skipper of the 26ft Yacht Pitit Manuelle which had become entangled on a mooring at Bissom Creek in the Penryn River with a falling tide.

The Inshore Lifeboat launched from her slipway at 19:36 and proceeded up the Penryn River locating the yacht at 19:43. On investigation it was found that the yacht was being moved to lay on the beach at Trevissom and while manoeuvring one of its legs had caught on the riser to a mooring buoy. The single occupant of the boat had tried to free the obstruction but had failed and was concerned with a falling tide that the fin-keeled boat would be endangered.

One of the lifeboat crew entered the water and after some difficulty was able to free the mooring chain. The yacht was then towed clear of the moorings and placed on the Ponsharden ferry pontoon at 20:25 as the tidal window to go on the beach mooring had passed, the inshore Lifeboat then being released to return to station.

The Inshore Lifeboat was back on its slipway by 20:40 where it was refuelled, rehoused and was ready for service by 21:00.

The yacht had been under refit at Ponsharden but due to the site being developed was being moved to a beach mooring on the opposite shore. The yacht Pitit Manuelle is a South Coast One design and was involved in a tragic accident in October 2002 when its skipper was washed overboard.

An Inshore Lifeboat Service

 

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