A man was winched from his boat when it grounded in Constantine Bay on Thursday, having refused assistance from the RNLI.

Lifeboat volunteers from Padstow and Newquay were called some time after midnight following reports that a vessel was drifting ashore near Trevose Head, in moderate seas with a north westerly three to four wind.

The all weather lifeboat Spirit of Padstow was launched, and arrived to find one person aboard a catamaran which was out of reach in the surf line and shallow water, and Newquay smaller RNLI’s Atlantic and D-class lifeboats were also sent to the scene.

An RNLI spokesperson said: "The helm of the D-class carefully navigated the one metre surf and managed to get alongside the vessel, which had now moved further onto rocks, but the casualty declined to get off his boat.

"A search and rescue helicopter from RNAS Culdrose was tasked, and winched the man from the boat onto the beach. He required no medical treatment."

Lifeboat crews were unable to save the catamaran.