Looe Lifeboats were called to help search for a yacht on Tuesday 16^th September which had been missing since the weekend. The search had started earlier in the Plymouth area on Monday and continued all day, but nothing had been found.

The Atlantic class lifeboat ‘Alan & Margaret’ was launched at 1.20pm to a report of a 26 foot yacht, ashore east of Millendreath which was thought to be the missing vessel.

 The lifeboat came alongside and a person was found in the cockpit.

A helicopter from Chivenor arrived at the scene and a paramedic was transferred to the yacht to confirm the person had died.

The Police were then called and the yacht was towed into Looe Bay and placed on a mooring outside the harbour, as the tide was out.

The Police were transferred to the yacht by the second Looe Lifeboat D Class ‘Regina Mary’ where a search of the boat and initial investigation took place.

The Atlantic towed the yacht into the harbour at 4 pm on the tide and moored alongside the quay at East Looe, where photographs were taken and further investigations took place.

The body was then put aboard the Atlantic and then taken to the boathouse and collected later by the undertaker. The Atlantic re-launched and towed the 26 foot Sadler yacht ‘MAR-DIN’ to West Looe visitors berth.

Lifeboats and crew returned to station and closed up at 6 pm.

The Looe Atlantic Class Lifebaot Alan & Margaret was launched on Tuesday 2nd September at 2.40pm following a call from Brixham Coastguard

The alert was to attend a 35' yacht with one person onboard which was in difficulties west of Looe Island, close to the rocks.

The skipper was having problems starting his engine and was unable to sail out of danger. He put out a May Day broadcast which was picked up by Brixham Coastguard. 

The Looe Lifeboat Atlantic Class ‘Alan & Margaret’ was launched and, because of the very low spring tide, had to go long way around the Island outside the Rannies reefs.

Weather conditions were very poor with a west south west Force 6 to 7 and heavy seas. On scene the helm, with great skill, managed to get alongside the stricken yacht and put crew member Mark Champion. He quickly assessed the situation and made a tow line fast to the lifeboat.

The yacht was then towed away from the rocks and then towed on to Looe Bay where it was made fast to a mooring to await the incoming tide. The person onboard the yacht was uninjured and stayed with the vessel to rest.

The Atlantic returned to station at 4pm. Crew were Clive Palfrey (Helm), Mark Champion and Stuart Cairns.

An inflatable craft was quickly located and recovered and the search continued for the missing person.

Meanwhile Looe Coastguard was patrolling on Plaidy beach where they found a family who said that the person on the dinghy had swam ashore and everyone was accounted for.

Dave Haines, Looe Lifeboats Operations Manager said “This is one of many incidents involving inflatable craft this summer. Offshore winds and tides can quickly take these small craft out to sea and parents should remain vigilant at all times, fortunately all persons involved have been safely returned to their families”

The lifeboat returned to the lifeboat station at 3.45pm

Crew were Toby Bray (Helm) Nick Pope and Mike Berry. Weather was South-westerly force 3 to 4.

 

For further information please contact Laurie Watson, Looe RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer, on
01503 262265 OR 07736 255496.
www.looelifeboats.org