Fowey RNLI Tow Disabled Sailing Vessel to Mevagissey

Fowey RNLI volunteers were launched on Easter Friday 3rd March after a sailing vessel with three people on board got into difficulty in St Austell Bay.

Lifeboat launched after distress report

Falmouth Coastguard tasked Fowey RNLI to respond after receiving reports of a 20-foot sailing vessel experiencing engine trouble. The vessel was located within the mussel farm in St Austell Bay and had no working propulsion system.

Fowey’s Atlantic 85 lifeboat launched at 7:11pm and made its way to the casualty vessel.

Vessel towed to safety

Once on scene, the RNLI crew removed the vessel from the mussel farm while Falmouth Coastguard contacted the nearest safe haven to arrange a suitable destination.

Permission was given to tow the vessel to Mevagissey. The tow began at 7:50pm, with the lifeboat arriving in Mevagissey Harbour at 9pm.

Crew returned safely to shore

The casualty vessel was secured on arrival, and the three people on board were safely transferred ashore.

Following the operation, the lifeboat returned to Fowey lifeboat station, arriving back at 10pm.