Emergency Call Sparks Lifeboat Launch Near Gyllyngvase Beach – What Happened Next?

Falmouth’s volunteer lifeboat crew sprang into action just before noon today, Monday 17th February 2025, after receiving a call from Falmouth Coastguard. The alert followed a 999 call from a concerned member of the public reporting an object—or possibly a person—in the water near Gyllyngvase Beach.

Rapid Response to 999 Call

The Atlantic 85 lifeboat, Robina Nixon Chard, launched just nine minutes after being paged, heading into fair seas with an east-south-east force 5/6 onshore wind. The crew arrived on scene at 12.18pm and worked alongside the Falmouth Coastguard Rescue Team to investigate the report.

It was confirmed that the object spotted in the water was indeed a person. However, they turned out to be a competent swimmer and assured the lifeboat crew that they were safe and well.

False Alarm with Good Intent

With no emergency unfolding, the Coastguard released the lifeboat from service at 12.23pm. The crew returned to station, where Robina Nixon Chard was washed down and refuelled, ready for future call-outs, by 1.00pm.

Falmouth Lifeboat Station commended the first informant, stating they “did exactly the right thing” by calling 999 and asking for the Coastguard. The incident was recorded as a false alarm with good intent.

To support Falmouth Lifeboat Station, donations can be made at JustGiving.

Photo: RNLI / Glen Reed