A kite boarder and a group of surfers out during Storm Dennis led to coastguards being scrambled twice yesterday over concerns for their safety.

Penzance Coastguard Rescue Team were first alerted at 2.53pm to reports of a kite boarder who appeared in trouble in the sea off the Station House, Marazion.

Penlee Inshore Lifeboat was also scrambled at this time.

A coastguard spokesperson said: "Being closer to the Hogus Rock near St Michael's Mount, a further report indicated that the kite boarder had in fact managed to get out of the water unassisted.

"Information received stated that he had lost his harness and was unable to control the kite.

"With this information both ourselves and the Penlee Inshore Lifeboat were stood down and we returned to our respective stations."

It would not be long before the volunteer coastguards were back out again, however, after Falmouth Coastguard Operations Centre was contacted again, at 6.20pm, this time to a report of a possible surfer in trouble just south of Mousehole south pier.

"A member of the public had observed one of a group of nine surfers just off the south harbour wall apparently struggling to return to shore," said the coastguard spokesperson.

"Correctly the member of public had notified Falmouth Coastguard via a 999 call; as a result we were paged to attend.

"Quickly on scene and talking with the member of public we ascertained that the surfer had received the assistance of a fellow surfer over the rocks.

"A question of the safety of the last surfer was also mooted and the team spread out with powerful searchlights to confirm that there was no surfers left in the sea.

"After a while and with nothing seen we thanked the member of public for her diligence and after reporting negative sightings to our control at Falmouth Coastguard we were stood down to return to station."

  • If you see someone you think is in trouble on the coast or at sea, call 999 and ask for the coastguard.