Falmouth lifeboat called to two in the water at West Portholland

Two people in the water and being pushed onto the rocks is the kind of 999 call that clears a lifeboat station in minutes. That was the shout for Falmouth RNLI this week, sending its volunteer crew out at speed towards West Portholland alongside a coastguard helicopter and two coastguard rescue teams.

The 999 call

The alarm was raised as a 999 report of two people in the water at West Portholland, being washed against the rocks. Falmouth’s crew launched their B-class inshore lifeboat, Robina Nixon Chard, shortly before 3pm and made best speed for Portholland.

The sea was not on their side. They went out into moderate seas and a Force 4 onshore wind, the sort of breeze that pushes anything in the water towards the shore rather than clear of it.

A four-way response

The lifeboat was one part of a much bigger call-out. HM Coastguard rescue helicopter R924 was sent, together with Portscatho Coastguard Rescue Team and Mevagissey Coastguard rescue team. Four teams, one stretch of coast.

By the time the boat reached the scene, the helicopter and the coastguard teams were already in attendance. With enough help there on the water and in the air, the RNLI crew was released from service.

Two shouts in one day

The West Portholland job was the first of two call-outs for the station in a single day. It is the sort of run a Cornish summer can throw up, when the coast is at its busiest and conditions turn quickly.

Falmouth Lifeboat runs a fundraising campaign at www.justgiving.com/campaign/falmouth-lifeboat-station.

📷Credit: Simon Culliford / RNLI