A YACHTSMAN had to airlifted to hospital after hitting his head and becoming disorientated while sailing in very rough seas and high winds.

Falmouth coastguard requested the launch of the Fowey RNLI all-weather lifeboat yesterdat morning (March 29) in response to a 999 call from a member of the public.

They had spotted a 30ft yacht drifting at anchor in very rough seas and high winds off Polkerris harbour between Fowey and St Austell.

St Austell coastguard were in attendance on the shore and had made contact with the vessel, ascertaining that there was one person on board who had sustained a head injury and was disorientated.

The Fowey all-weather lifeboat made best speed to the incident, arriving on scene at 12.15pm. As the seas were too rough to put a crew member on board, the Fowey crew used a grappling hook to pick up the yacht’s anchor.

A bow tow was established using the yacht’s anchor chain and the lifeboat slowly towed the drifting yacht away from the shoreline.

Coastguard helicopter assistance was then requested and by 1.32pm the casualty had been winched aboard the helicopter and taken to safety. The Fowey lifeboat then towed the yacht back into Fowey harbour.

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A spokesperson for St Austell Coastguard said: “We were called today from a 999 call from a concerned member of the public to a vessel in the Polkerris Beach area.

“Once on scene, we managed to talk to the vessel on our VHF radios and found the person was injured. We requested the support of the Fowey RNLI lifeboat to assist.

“The weather proved to be challenging to the rescue crews, and a rescue Helicopter for Bristow Group from Newquay to assist.

“The casualty injuries were significant enough to be evacuated to the hospital by the aircraft and South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust.

“A good call by the member of the public to the 999 system to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency “A good multi-agency incident and outcome for the casualty.”