Catastrophic Catamaran Crisis: Falmouth RNLI’s Third Callout in Four Days

Falmouth RNLI was called to action yet again on Sunday, 5 May, marking their third mission in just four days.

The all-weather lifeboat was dispatched to aid a sinking catamaran near Black Rock, in Falmouth Harbour. The 9-metre vessel, which was carrying three people, had issued a distress call to HM Coastguard Falmouth after being holed and taking on water during the annual Falmouth – Fowey Triangle race.

Swift Response

The lifeboat, ‘Richard Cox Scott’, launched just ten minutes after the call at 11:13 am, reaching the stricken catamaran at 11:22 am. The vessel, which was heavily listing and dangerously close to rocks, was attempting to reach a beach for grounding.

Photo: Y Boat heads toward casualty – Credit:RNLI/Glen Reed

On the Scene

Given the yacht’s position in shallow water, the lifeboat’s coxswain launched a small inflatable Y boat with two crew members to assess the situation. Despite deploying a salvage pump to stem the water ingress, it became evident that the pump couldn’t handle the flooding. The crew decided to beach the yacht at Andennis Beach in St Mawes, where it was anchored.

Rescue and Recovery

After safely evacuating the crew to the beach, they were handed over to the Portscatho Coastguard Rescue Team. The yacht was later towed for repair by Sea Wide Services. The lifeboat returned to its station at 2:50 pm, where it was refuelled and readied for future emergencies.

Photo: Crew setting anchor – Credit: RNLI/Glen Reed

Falmouth RNLI’s Dedication

This incident highlights the dedication and bravery of Falmouth RNLI’s volunteer crew, showcasing their relentless commitment to maritime safety, even during a busy period.

Photo: Falmouth lifeboat on scene – Credit: Sara Pugh