Falmouth RNLI volunteer lifeboat crews called out on unusual task
It was just after 20 minutes past midnight when the lifeboat pagers alerted the crews to the possibility of an emergency situation at sea. Both the inshore and all weather lifeboats were requested for this emergency which was, to search for 20 people celebrating a ‘stag party’ in hired boats in the Helford River.
As soon as the volunteer crew left the slipway the inshore lifeboat was tasked to another emergency, which was to assist two 14 year old youths, one of whom was reported as being unconscious, needing help on the beach at Stack Point near Swanpool. The crew raced to the beach, picked up the two youths and took them back to the lifeboat station where they were met by an ambulance and the police.
Meanwhile the all-weather lifeboat had started searching the Helford River for signs of the partygoers, and was very quickly joined by the inshore lifeboat after handing over their two young charges to the authorities. The larger lifeboat searched the main parts of the river, from the mouth to Frenchman’s Creek, whilst the inshore boat searched the smaller creeks and inlets. After nearly three hours of looking nothing was found so the lifeboats were released back to station at 3:15 am where they arrived at approximately 3:45 am. The coastguard later reported that all the missing persons were found ashore, alive and well, at Port Navas at 8:00 in the morning, by the persons who had rented them the boats.
After a washing down with fresh water and refuelling, both life boats were ready for service once again at 4:00 am, and the tired and worn out volunteers could go back home to their beds.
RNLI media contacts
For more information please contact Gerry Gearon, Falmouth RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer, on 07792 158085.