Cornwall Lifeguards and Coastguards issue warning after rescuing small boat in storm
Crews were called to East Portholland late on Friday evening with Storm Betty weather warnings
Last updated 21st Aug 2023
Lifeboat and coastguard crews near St Austell are encouraging everyone at sea to keep up to date with the weather forecast and sea conditions.
Crews were called to rescue a boat which was grounded off East Portholland amidst weather warnings for stormy conditions.
Mevagissey Coastguard, Portscatho Coastguard and Falmouth Lifeboat and Coastguard Helicopter were mobilised for the rescue - launching their Servern class all weather lifeboat 'Richard Cox Scott' into Storm Betty after receiving calls of a 24ft motorboat with one person on board that had engine failure
Crews from Falmouth Lifeboat said: "Our volunteer crew were paged at 10.33pm, launching the lifeboat at 10.47pm into a 2.5m swell and south / south westerly force 7 to gale force 8 winds."
"Once afloat, the lifeboat was asked to proceed at best speed as the casualty was now just half a mile off of the coast.
"The lifeboat arrived on scene at 11.30pm to find the vessel was now aground and that Coastguard Rescue Teams from Portscatho and Mevagissey were on scene.
"The lifeboat stood off and illuminated the casualty, before the Coastguard rescue helicopter arrived at 11.43pm and confirmed that one person remained on board the vessel. A winchman was lowered to assist the shore teams that had now reached the vessel that was now accessible due to the receding tide.
"The rescue helicopter was released at midnight and the vessel left grounded, with the lifeboat also being released from service seven minutes later, returning towards the station when at 12.14am, it was re-tasked to assist the inshore lifeboat in the River Fal."
Watch: Falmouth Lifeboat launches in storm conditions
In a statement on Mevagissey Coastguard Facebook page on Saturday morning, a spokesperson said:
"The conditions were terrible and strong winds had torn through the area. Many of the team had to seek alternative routes after encountering flooding or trees blocking roads.
"The owner of the boat was on board. Realising he was being blown onto the rocks, he dropped his anchor. It wasn’t enough and he grounded.
"Falmouth Lifeboat and the Coastguard Helicopter attended. However, with the tide fast receding our coastguard volunteers were able to walk the male from the boat for medical assessment. He was later discharged to his home.
"The teams took his valuables off the boat, along with the spare fuel. We stood down at around 2am.
"Our colleagues from Portscatho returned this morning. Sadly, the vessel had been lost to this morning’s advancing tide.
"We encourage everyone at sea to keep up to date with the weather forecast and sea conditions. Please think hard before heading out in challenging conditions."