Falmouth RNLI volunteer inshore lifeboat crew called to attend a houseboat on fire
At 8:16am this morning Falmouth Coastguard requested that the Falmouth inshore lifeboat go to the aid of a 60ft houseboat reported to be on fire at Sailor’s Creek in Falmouth Harbour. The lifeboat launched at 8:25am and was first vessel on the scene some four minutes later at 8:29am.
On arrival at the houseboat, the MV Oster Vertrowen, they found the owner fighting the fire himself. As the owner did not appear injured in any way the lifeboat then picked up a Fire Brigade Officer from Falmouth Boat Construction and took him back to the houseboat to assess the situation.
The houseboat, which was being used as a workshop, presented a potentially dangerous situation as it contained gas bottles, paint and fuel for a generator. The owner was taken off by the lifeboat crew, put on oxygen as he had been in a smoke filled compartment, and taken to waiting paramedics at Falmouth Boat Construction jetty.
Meantime the Fire Brigade continued to deal with the fire, which by now was almost out, assisted by the Fire Brigade’s own fire fighting RIB Transco Phoenix, which had arrived on the scene some minutes earlier.
The inshore lifeboat was released back to station at 9:45am and by 10:10am was ready once more for immediate service, having been washed down and refuelled.
Notes to editors
The volunteer crew that attended this incident were, Luke Wills (Helmsman); Andy Jenkin and Tom Bird.
RNLI media contacts
For more information please contact; Gerry Gearon, RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 01326 212438, gerrygearon@hotmail.com or Tamsin Thomas, Media Relations Manager South on 01752 850663, tamsin_thomas@rnli.org.uk or contact RNLI Public Relations on 01202 336789.