Fowey Lifeboat Crew Saves Vessel Taking on Water

On Saturday, 24th August, a sailing vessel found itself in dire straits as it began taking on water approximately five miles south of Fowey Harbour. The volunteer lifeboat crew from Fowey swiftly responded to the emergency, launching their all-weather lifeboat at 12:17 PM after being alerted by the Falmouth coastguard.

Swift Action by Fowey Lifeboat Crew

Upon arrival at the scene, it was evident that the casualty vessel’s situation was critical. The onboard pumps were struggling to manage the water ingress, putting the boat and its crew at significant risk. Christian ‘Branch’ Philp, a member of the lifeboat crew, was immediately transferred to the distressed vessel to assess the situation.

After an initial examination, Christian identified the fore hatch as the probable source of the leak. The vessel had been sailing into moderate seas, causing water to surge over the bow as it made its way towards Falmouth. This challenging situation worsened the water intake, overwhelming the vessel’s pumps.

Course Change Brings Relief

The lifeboat crew advised a change of course towards Fowey, which altered the vessel’s trajectory so that the sea came further onto the beam. This adjustment allowed the pumps to better manage the water in the bilges, providing a temporary relief to the situation.

The Fowey lifeboat then escorted the vessel safely back to Fowey Harbour. The boat was secured to a visitors’ pontoon at 3:05 PM, concluding the three-hour operation.

The swift and effective response of the Fowey lifeboat crew undoubtedly prevented a potential disaster at sea, ensuring that the vessel and its crew reached safety without further incident.

Photo: Christian ‘Branch’ Philp on board the casualty vessel – Credit: Fowey RNLI