Major rescue operation as boat catches fire at sea on Cornish peninsula
Lifeboats, firefighters and HM Coastguard crews and a helicopter rushed to the Roseland
Last updated 26th Aug 2021
A sailor has had to be rescued after their boat caught fire at sea off the Cornish coast.
Photos show thick plumes of black smoke streaming from the yacht near Portscatho.
Police, firefighters, both Falmouth lifeboats, HM Coastguard crews and a helicopter rushed to the Roseland on Wednesday afternoon.
One of the responding special constables has since confirmed abandoned to a nearby motor boat and was not injured.
In a statement given to Cornwall Live, HM Coastguard said they received multiple 999 calls about the vessel on fire, south-east of Portscatho.
They said: "Portscatho Coastguard Rescue Team, Falmouth RNLI Lifeboats and the Search and Rescue Helicopter from St Athan were sent.
"The single crewman was assisted by a nearby motor cruiser and passed into the care of Falmouth RNLI".
Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service said a portable pump was used to douse the flames: "A crew from Falmouth attended this incident in Skath An Tanlu, the service's fire boat. The crew offered general assistance to the Coastguard.
"All persons were accounted for and in the hands of the attending lifeboat crew".
Special Constable Russ Hall was among the responding emergency crews.
He tweeted: "Last evening we responded to a Mayday. Vessel on fire off Portscatho with @FalmouthRNLI, @RNLI, @FalmouthCFRS, @CornwallFRS, @HMCoastguard and @DC_Police.
"The one crew safely abandoned to a nearby responding motor yacht without injury.
"Fire is a seafarer's worst enemy".