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The Lizard RNLI launches to de-masted trimaran

Lifeboats News Release

Following a Mayday call received by Falmouth Coastguard, our crew launched on service at 9.51am on Saturday 30th September.

Arriving on scene

Terry Thirlaway

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In a position of two nautical miles South of Lizard Point a 26ft trimaran with two people on board had been de-masted and was unable to manoeuvre. Falmouth Coastguard advised the lifeboat crew that due to the severity of the damaged masts communication with the casualties could be broken or very weak as their radio aerial may be near to the surface of the water.

Upon arrival on scene at 10.05am the situation was assessed and the smaller Y-boat was deployed with two lifeboat crew members on board, one of whom was transferred on to the casualty vessel to assist in cutting away the tangled and partially submerged rigging. Once the casualty vessel was in a position to be moved, the decision was taken to attach a tow line and under the command of Coxswain Dan Atkinson the slow journey into Falmouth began at 10.53am.

Sea conditions on scene and during the towing of the vessel were described as poor. One lifeboat crew member remained on board the trimaran and the decision was taken to take the vessel into the Helford instead where upon arrival it was safely secured on to a mooring.

After seven hours at sea RNLB Rose and her crew arrived back at the station at Kilcobben Cove shortly after 5pm where the lifeboat was made ready for service again when required.

RNLI/Lyndsay Bray

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RNLI/Lyndsay Bray

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RNLI/Lyndsay Bray

The tow to Helford begins
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RNLI/Lyndsay Bray

Arriving back at the station
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RNLI/Lyndsay Bray

Rehousing RNLB Rose
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Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 142,700 lives.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.

About the author

Lyndsay Bray
Lifeboat Press Officer, The Lizard Lifeboat Station

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