Storm Night Chaos as Coastguard Handles Four Call Outs in Falmouth

The Falmouth Coastguard Rescue Team was kept busy on Friday night as Storm Goretti battered the coast, with team members responding to four separate incidents over the course of the evening.

In a social media update, the team said, “What a night that was.”

Vessel in Distress at Falmouth Haven

The first call out came at 7.50pm, when the team was tasked to a vessel in distress at Falmouth Haven. Two people were on board, and Falmouth Lifeboat was also tasked to assist.

Conditions on the pontoons were described as unfavourable, with lines snapping and waves breaking over the top. The vessel could not be evacuated by boat.

A risk assessment was carried out and a safe system of work put in place, including the use of full water intervention kit. Coastguard team members rescued two people and two dogs from the vessel and recovered them to safety at the Chain Locker on Custom House Quay.

Person Reported in the Water at Marina

While that rescue was ongoing, the team was also tasked to a report of a person in the water at Premier Falmouth Marina.

Team members split from the initial incident and took a second vehicle to the marina. An immediate search of the area was carried out alongside the lifeboat crew.

The missing male was quickly located on the stern of his vessel. He and another occupant were rescued by Coastguard team members and taken to the safety of the marina office for rewarming and a cup of tea.

Credit to Emma Tuckley

Further Rescues and Stand Down

Later in the evening, the Coastguard team was also tasked to support the lifeboat crew in transferring two other casualties from vessels that had got into difficulty during the night.

After dealing with all four incidents, the team eventually stood down and returned home at around 11.30pm.

The update ended with a thank you to those they encountered during the night, saying, “Thanks to everyone for the various offers of tea and biscuits on the way round!”

📷Credit: Falmouth CRT