Falmouth lifeboat crews called out twice in two days to help boats with engine failure and once to assist a yacht aground on the mud.

Falmouth inshore lifeboat was launched on Friday morning and again on Sunday to help two leisure craft after their engines had broken down. The first incident involved a 20 foot fishing boat with two people onboard, 2 miles south west of Falmouth and the second, a RIB with one adult and four children onboard, near St Anthony Lighthouse. The inshore lifeboat was launched again last night, this time to help a yacht that had gone aground on the mud near Falmouth Marina.

It was just after 10.30am on Friday morning that Falmouth's Atlantic 21 inshore lifeboat, Falmouth Round Table, launched to help a father and his son in their fishing boat. The boats engine had completely failed so the lifeboat towed the boat to Grove Place dingy park in Falmouth.

The inshore lifeboat launched on Sunday at about 4pm to assist the RIB (rigid inflatable boat) after its engine failed to start. The owner had tried, without success, to get help from other boats in the area before contacting the Coastguard for help. It is thought that dirty contacts were responsible for not being able to restart the engine. However, by the time the lifeboat crew arrived, the engine had been started and the lifeboat crew were able to escort the boat back to Mylor under its own power without further incident.

Marc Thomas, inshore lifeboat helmsman, said:"Although both these incidents weren't necessarily caused by poor preparation, they do highlight the need to have your boat properly serviced before using it at the start of the season. You should always check the fuel, oil and filters before going out on the water."

Marc Thomas and his crew were in action again later after the sailor of a 28 foot yacht got disorientated and missed the channel while approaching Falmouth Marina. The yacht went aground on the mud near Trevissome. The lifeboat launched at about 9.30pm and the crew were able to attach a line and pull the yacht clear.