A paddelboarder and her child who found themselves floating out to sea were rescued by a pair of kayakers before later that day a boat sank, in what turned out to be a busy day for coastguards.

It began with Mullion Coastguard Rescue Team being paged at noon on Wednesday with an urgent 999 call to Falmouth Coastguard, to say a female paddleboarder and a child were caught by offshore winds, and floating out to sea at Gunwalloe.

Once on scene at Fishing Cove, the coastguards found that two kayakers who had fortunately been in the area at the time had managed to tow the paddelboarders to the shoreline and out of danger, to wait for the coastguard team on the beach.

 

Coastguards gave safety advice to a paddleboarder who was rescued by kayakers at Gunwalloe Picture: Mullion Coastguard

Coastguards gave safety advice to a paddleboarder who was rescued by kayakers at Gunwalloe Picture: Mullion Coastguard

 

A Mullion Coastguard spokesperson said: "Casualty care and safety advice was given to the paddleboarder, and we were then stood down and returned to station.

"Thank you to the Penlee Lifeboat, who was also in attendance."

The volunteers were back out again just a few hours later, however, at 4pm, to help their flank team Porthoustock CRT, to rescue five people stranded on rocks as their boat sank.

The boat started taking on water on the Helford River, leading to a call to the coastguards.

 

The boat started taking on water at the Helford River Picture: Mullion Coastguard

The boat started taking on water at the Helford River Picture: Mullion Coastguard

 

A Mullion team member said: "Once on scene, a rope handrail was set up to assist the casualties up the steep bank and away from danger.

"The boat was safety secured to the shoreline, and Falmouth Ops room were made aware that it was no longer seaworthy.

"Both teams were then stood down and returned to their stations."

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