Solo yachtsman triggers beacon in rough seas off Lizard
A solo yachtsman who set out
from Plymouth to join a sailing challenge bound
for the Azores set off a beacon that was
received by Falmouth Coastguard this morning, prompting a search and rescue
mission to find the sailor.
At 7.25 am Falmouth
Coastguard received a notification from a UK registered Personal Locator
Beacon that was transmitting 40 miles south of the Lizard. Falmouth Coastguard telephoned the registered
contact details for the beacon and spoke to a woman who confirmed that her son
was in possession of the beacon and that he had set off from Plymouth last
Friday on a 22-foot sailing vessel as part of the ‘Jester Challenge’ to sail to
the Azores.
Falmouth Coastguard issued a
Mayday relay message to ask for assistance from vessels in the area, which was
responded to by two vessels, the ‘Grace II’ and the ‘Baltic Advance’. Falmouth Coastguard also sent the Rescue
Helicopter from RNAS Culdrose to the location of the beacon, along with requesting
the launch of the Lizard RNLI Lifeboat.
A French Customs Aircraft that was also in the area agreed to assist in
the search. The weather on scene was
particularly poor, with the lifeboat battling through force 9 strong gales and
very rough seas to reach the yachtsman in distress.
At 9.04 am the Grace II
confirmed they had spotted the casualty vessel, with the Baltic Advance, French
aircraft and Royal Navy helicopter all arriving minutes later. The crew on board the helicopter were able to
talk to the yachtsman over VHF radio, and he confirmed that he wanted to be
taken off the vessel, which was being overcome by the rough seas and high
waves. The lone sailor was then taken to
RNAS Culdrose, where he is now being looked after by the Mission to Seafarers. The vessel has been abandoned.
Terry Collins, Watch
Manager, Falmouth
Coastguard said:
“The single handed sailor,
who had sailed from his home in Jersey to Plymouth
before setting off to join the sailing challenge to the Azores ,
set off his Personal Locator Beacon as his yacht was being overcome by the
incredibly rough seas. The conditions on
scene today are not suitable for a small craft such as this and we do advise
anyone setting out on the water take heed of weather forecasts and do not make journeys
in conditions unsuitable for their vessel.
The locator beacon was crucial in the ability to rescue this person, as
it was the only form of distress received ashore. For offshore voyages leisure sailors are
recommended to carry a satellite form of communication.”