Falmouth Lifeboat Crews Respond to Yacht in Distress Amidst Rough Seas

Falmouth, 2 April 2024 – In a commendable display of bravery and expertise, the Falmouth all-weather lifeboat, ‘Richard Cox Scott,’ was launched on Tuesday evening in response to a distress call from a dis-masted yacht adrift in the Carrick Roads.

This marks the second launch in two days for the esteemed vessel, totalling five launches this year, and contributing to the station’s 14 shouts overall.

Swift Response to Distress Call

The volunteer crew was paged by the Falmouth Coastguard just before 7.00 pm, following a radio call for help from a 10m yacht. The yacht, with four people on board, found itself in peril after becoming dis-masted and adrift. Responding promptly, the ‘Richard Cox Scott’ left its moorings at 7.10 pm, facing heavy rain and challenging winds of southerly force five to six.

Timely Assistance from Artevelde

In a fortunate turn of events, the nearby dredger ‘Artevelde,’ which was at anchor and had been monitoring the situation, played a pivotal role in the rescue. Before the lifeboat’s arrival, ‘Artevelde’ fired a rescue line towards the yacht as it drifted nearby. The yacht’s crew successfully intercepted the line, securing it to the dredger’s stern, thus ensuring their immediate safety by taking advantage of the shelter offered.

Coordinated Rescue Effort

Upon arrival at the scene, approximately 10 minutes after launching, two members of the lifeboat crew were transferred to the yacht. Their task was to assist the yacht’s crew in clearing the mast and rigging, ensuring no further hazards would impede their safety. Once the rigging was securely stowed, the lifeboat towed the yacht to a mooring within the harbour, completing the rescue operation.

The yacht was safely moored, and the ‘Richard Cox Scott’ was released by the Coastguard, returning to the station and closing down at 8.45 pm. This incident highlights the critical role of the Falmouth Lifeboat service and the seamless cooperation between multiple maritime entities to ensure the safety of those at sea.