Lone sailor towed clear of Hayle surf by St Ives lifeboat

It was still dark when the anchor started to drag. A lone sailor, an engine that had failed, and a yacht sliding towards the surf at the mouth of the Hayle river.

A 4.15am call to Hayle beach

Portreath Coastguard Rescue Team was tasked at about 4.15am on Wednesday 7 October, alongside St Ives Lifeboat, to a report of a yacht running aground at Hayle beach and the river mouth.

The team said the yacht had one person on board and was dragging its anchor in the surf line after an engine failure. That left the vessel, in the team’s words, “in a vulnerable position in challenging sea conditions”.

How the yacht was pulled clear

By the time the coastguard team arrived, the St Ives RNLI all-weather lifeboat had made contact with the yacht.

The lifeboat crew managed to attach a tow line in difficult conditions and pulled the yacht clear of the surf and into deeper water. It was then taken to St Ives and secured on a vacant mooring, out of the worst of the sea conditions.

Portreath Coastguard Rescue Team returned to station at about 5.45am. It was the team’s 64th incident on its log.

“A great example of the importance of early intervention and coordination between the emergency services and lifeboat crews,” the team said.

What to do if you get into trouble at sea

The team used the callout to share a safety message for anyone heading out on the water.

• Make sure your vessel is properly equipped and that you have a means of contacting the emergency services.
• Check your equipment, the weather and the sea conditions before you set off.
• If you are in trouble at sea, or you see someone else in difficulty, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

“Engine failure, dragging an anchor or changing sea conditions can quickly turn a manageable situation into a serious emergency,” the team said.

“Don’t wait until the situation becomes critical. Early notification gives the Coastguard and lifeboat crews more time to respond and can make all the difference.”

📷Credit: H. M. Coastguard Portreath Rescue Team