Falmouth lifeboat reaches dive boat metres from rocks at Zone Point

A dive boat carrying 14 people was drifting within 30 metres of rocks near Zone Point on Sunday morning. What began as a Pan Pan call for engine failure had become a full Mayday by the time Falmouth’s all-weather lifeboat reached it.

Diverted from exercise

Falmouth’s all-weather lifeboat, Decibel Too, was out on exercise on Sunday 19 July when the call came in. A 10-metre dive boat with 14 people on board had suffered engine failure near Zone Point and put out a Pan Pan, the radio call a vessel uses when it needs help but no lives are in immediate danger.

The lifeboat was near Dodman Point at the time. The crew recovered the anchor and set off at best speed towards the casualty.

📷Credit: Guardian RIB Charter

From Pan Pan to Mayday

The situation changed on the way over. The dive boat’s anchor had started to drag, and with a lee shore behind it, the vessel was being pushed closer to the rocks and the shore. The call was upgraded to a Mayday.

Decibel Too arrived on scene within 30 minutes, at 10.10am, to find the dive boat within 30 metres of the rocks. Two smaller boats were already standing by, ready to help if they were needed.

Towed to safety in Mylor

With 14 people on board and the rocks that close, the crew decided to tow the vessel clear. The lifeboat brought the dive boat into Mylor harbour an hour later, where it was moored up alongside the pontoons.

HM Coastguard released the lifeboat from service at 11.15am, and Decibel Too returned to the lifeboat house to re-fuel.

Photos were shared by Guardian RIB Charter, who the station thanked for their assistance. You can support the crew through the Falmouth Lifeboat Station JustGiving campaign.

📷Credit: Guardian RIB Charter