At 13:13 Falmouth Coastguard requested that Falmouth Inshore Lifeboat be launched following a call from the 26ft Yacht Sanphire reporting that she had run aground on the Turnaware Bar in the River Fal and that the two crew onboard were concerned how the boat would settle on the outgoing tide. Portscatho Coastguard Cliff Rescue Team was also tasked to assist.

The Inshore Lifeboat launched from her slipway at 13:19 and headed up the Carrick Roads arriving on scene at 13:25. The yacht was already healing over at a steep angle and a crewman was put ashore to check that its hull was not resting on any sharp objects. At the same time it was noted that a 16ft Hire Boat with four people onboard had also run aground nearby and this vessel was checked and its anchor deployed to await the flood tide. Both vessels were monitored until they started to refloat, each one being towed clear of the bar by the Inshore Lifeboat. Once it had been confirmed that no further assistance was required the inshore lifeboat was released to return to its station at 15:29.

The Inshore Lifeboat was back on its slipway by 15:44 where it was refuelled, rehoused and was ready for service by 16:10.

The yacht had only be purchased a few day’s before and its new owners were concerned being a traditional wooden deep keeled boat that it might take on water when it was healed over. This proved to be the case but the ingress was fairly small and the owners were able to cope with the quantity involved and bail the boat out.

An Inshore Lifeboat Service

 

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