French yachstman rescued

A FRENCH yachtsman was airlifted to safety after a mast on his yacht broke off in stormy conditions off Cornwall last Monday night.

A coastguard helicopter was sent to the vessel, which was about 40 miles off The Lizard, at about 10.30pm.

The crewman, who was injured, sent out a “406 beacon” distress signal, coastguards said.

He was “evacuated on board the helicopter” and taken to the Royal Cornwall Hospital at Treliske to be checked over.

The RNLI’s Lizard and Penlee lifeboats were tasked to be part of the rescue, and two cargo vessels in the area were also on standby to help. The man’s injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.

Penlee lifeboat station described the weather conditions as “very bad with a westerly force 10 wind, a six-metre swell and rough seas and at times visibility limited in squally showers.”

Penlee coxswain Patch Harvey said: “The conditions were very poor especially for the helicopter crew who had to dodge flailing rigging but picked up the sailor after he had jumped into the sea to enable the rescue.”

Dickon Berriman, RNLI’s area lifesaving manager for both stations, said: “As many of us were listening to the storm rage outside, our volunteer crew, at both stations were responding to the pager, ready to leave their homes and go out into the elements to help someone in trouble.

“The conditions last night were extremely difficult and our crews had a long night ahead of them.

“Huge credit should go to the coastguard helicopter team who carried out an extremely difficult rescue in treacherous conditions to save the sailor.”

Earlier on the same day, the Penlee’s all-weather Severn-class lifeboat, the relief lifeboat Volunteer Spirit, was tasked by Falmouth Coastguards to a 30ft catamaran reportedly in difficulty heading to Penzance harbour with one person and a dog on board.

The catamaran made the harbour safely and the lifeboat returned to station. The weather had been poor with a south-easterly gale and rough sea conditions.