AN 11-metre yacht with four people on board was forced to send out a Mayday call on Saturday after discovering a fire in the engine compartment.

After receiving the distress call, the UK Coastguard requested the launch of Falmouth’s Severn class all-weather lifeboat Richard Cox Scott to help.

The yacht was reported to be just to the north-east of Porthkerris Point. The crew didn't know what had caused the fire but did manage to put it out. A fishing vessel was standing by to provide safety cover until the lifeboat arrived.

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The lifeboat left its pontoon under the command of Falmouth RNLI Coxswain Jonathon Blakeston at 2.10pm and arrived on scene at 2.30pm. The conditions on scene were overcast with fair visibility with a force four southerly wind and a slight sea state.

After locating the stricken yacht the lifeboat stood by and then escorted it to a safe position to allow the Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service’s fire boat to go alongside to transfer a firefighter to check and confirm that the fire was out. The yacht was then allowed to enter Falmouth Harbour.

Once confirmed that the fire was out, the lifeboat escorted the casualty to its mooring in Falmouth. The lifeboat was released to return to station at 5pm.