Falmouth Lifeboat Called Out Twice in One Night – What Happened?

Falmouth’s inshore lifeboat had a busy start to March with two call-outs in quick succession, responding to incidents on both Saturday 1st March and into the early hours of Sunday 2nd March.

Breakdown Off Portmellin Head

The first call came at 6.30pm on Saturday after a 999 call was made to HM Coastguard. A 23-foot vessel had broken down off Portmellin Head, east of St Anthony.

The volunteer crew launched the Atlantic 85 lifeboat Robina Nixon Chard at 6.40pm, reaching the stranded boat within 15 minutes. With offshore but light winds, the helmsman assessed the situation and decided the best option was to tow the vessel back to Falmouth. The boat was secured on its mooring by 8.15pm, and the crew had the lifeboat refuelled and washed down by 8.30pm.

Midnight Call to Sailors Creek

Just a few hours later, at 12.19am, Falmouth Coastguard requested another launch, this time to assist Devon & Cornwall Police with a situation in Sailors Creek, in the Penryn River.

The lifeboat arrived on scene at 12.33am, but as the tide was dropping, it was unable to proceed further. After liaising with the police, the Coastguard released the crew from service at 12.41am, allowing them to return to their beds.

Falmouth Lifeboat Station relies on public donations to keep saving lives at sea. To support their efforts, visit their JustGiving page.