Searches called off after yacht found empty after crashing on Cornish coast
Fowey RNLI report being called out to a massive rescue operation on Friday night (13 June) after the vessel run aground at Chapel Point
Last updated 15th Jun 2025
The Coastguard and RNLI say searches have been terminated after the discovery of an empty yacht off the Cornish coast.
Fowey RNLI report being called out to a massive rescue operation on Friday night (13 June) after the vessel run aground at Chapel Point.
The incident was stood down just before 5am yesterday morning.
The Fowey RNLI team said: "Fowey volunteer lifeboat crew were involved in a 10 1/2 hour service on Friday 13th June, after the duty Launch Authority received a request from Falmouth Coastguard. They were asked to find and assess the situation of a sailing vessel reported to be aground at Chapel Point, Mevagissey.
"Fowey’s lifeboat was launched at 8:40pm. On arrival at the scene two crew members took the XP boat out to the casualty vessel which they then boarded. No one was found onboard. The lifeboat then proceeded to carry out a series of search patterns between Chapel Point, the Dodmin and the Lizard, reaching up to 25' from Fowey.
"The searches were carried out together with a Coastguard Helicopter, aeroplane and lifeboats from Falmouth Lifeboat, The Lizard and RNLI Looe Lifeboat Station, all under the coordination of Falmouth Coastguard. Fowey lifeboat was stood down at 4:50am and returned to the station. Crew mate Boris arrived at the boathouse at 6:30am with fresh bacon baps ready for the crew."
The Coastguard told us: "HM Coastguard was tasked to search for the skipper of a yacht found aground at Chapel Point in Cornwall on Friday 13 July. Alerted just after 8.15pm, Mevagissey Coastguard Rescue Team were sent alongside an HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopter, an HM Coastguard fixed wing aircraft and RNLI lifeboats from Looe, The Lizard and Falmouth. Devon and Cornwall Police were also in attendance.
"An HM Coastguard fixed wing aircraft resumed the search this morning at around 7.45am. The search has now been terminated."
Whilst Devon and Cornwall Police added: "Police were called by HM Coastguard shortly before 10pm on Friday 13 June after they received a report of an unattended boat located.
"We continue to support enquiries on land in relation to concerns for persons linked to the vessel."
'Our thoughts are with the yachtsman and all involved with this service'
Whilst this morning The Lizard RNLI Lifeboat Station said: "Following a tasking request received by our duty Launch Authority from Falmouth Coastguard our crew were paged at 12.29am on Saturday 14th June. RNLB Rose launched on service at 12.44am and under the command of Second Coxswain Darren Thirlaway, we were asked to join the search for a potential missing yachtsman whose vessel had been sighted close to Chapel Point with it’s anchor deployed and all systems operational but with no trace of any occupant/s.
"Our RNLI colleagues from Looe, Fowey, Falmouth, the Coastguard Rescue Helicopter 924 and a fixed wing aircraft were also assisting in the wide scale search which was being coordinated by Falmouth Coastguard. Two thorough search patterns were carried out east of the lifeboat station. Unfortunately, with all efforts to trace and/or contact the skipper of the yacht and/or other parties proving at this time to be unsuccessful, RNLB Rose was stood down at 04.35am after just over 4 hours sea. The lifeboat arrived back at her station in Kilcobben Cove at 05.10am where she was rehoused, refuelled and made ready for service again when required.
"Our thoughts are with the yachtsman and all involved with this service. No further statement will be issued at this time."