People getting too close to the sea during bad weather are risking not only their lives but those of the emergency teams trying to rescue them.

This was the stark warning from coastguards in Falmouth following a day of shouts earlier this week that started with a yacht being "significantly damaged" and ended with a surfer being unable to make it back to shore due to the size of the waves.

The day began for Falmouth Coastguard Rescue Team with a report of a vessel going aground at Admirals Quay.

On scene the volunteer coastguards discovered that a 26ft yacht had parted from its moorings and gone ashore between Prince of Wales Pier and Royal Cornwall Yacht Club.

Team members provided safety cover for the owner who was working on recovery it with salvers, with a coastguard spokesperson saying: "The yacht was significantly damaged."

Coastguards were then sent on to reports of a person drifting in an inflatable, off Greenbank Quay.

Coastguard volunteers keeping an eye on conditions and peoples safey Picture: Falmouth Coastguards

Coastguard volunteers keeping an eye on conditions and people's safey Picture: Falmouth Coastguards

Given the wind and tide conditions they relocated to Coastlines Wharf and found the person in question.

The casualty was wearing a wearing a life jacket but unfortunately his tender had suffered engine failure, although he was able to make it into Coastlines for shelter. Happily he was unharmed.

Later that day, however, the volunteers were back out again, at Swanpool Beach, following a report from Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service of people potentially in danger on the beach and cliffs nearby, due to very large waves being created by the easterly wind, with gusts of 60mph or more.

Teams were sent to close off the footpath and Devon and Cornwall Police also close off the road. Once the tide had dropped enough, the road closures were lifted and the path reopened.

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However, a lone surfer was given words of advice having gone in at Gyllyngvase and found themselves unable to make it back to shore, due to the stormy conditions, and instead had to come out at Swanpool, said the coastguard team.

A spokesperson said: "We're only looking out for your safety – please respect that. We have to risk our own and team members' lives to retrieve you from the water if the worst happens. If we can prevent that happening, that is the best outcome.

"It's not just the water that's the risk when you get too close, the waves bring large rocks and other debris; this combined with the weight of the water can cause significant injuries.

"Please keep your dog on a lead near big seas.

"If you spot anyone in danger on our coasts, please dial 999 and ask for coastguard."