Both Falmouth lifeboats had to be launched yesterday once to a broken down dinghy drifting in strong winds and secondly to an emergency beacon on the Helford River. The coastguard helicopter was also called.

The Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat, 'Robina Nixon Chard' was called by Falmouth Coastguard last night after a 999 call from the occupant of a dinghy who had broken down on their way back to their boat in the moorings in Falmouth harbour, and was now drifting in the westerly force 5-6 winds.

Crew pagers were set off just after 7.45pm, with the boat launching within ten minutes. Within five minutes of launching, the crew had located the drifting dinghy, then transferring its occupant onboard the lifeboat and returning them and the dinghy back to their boat before being released by the Coastguard.

However, before returning to the boathouse, the lifeboat was sent to join the Severn class all-weather lifeboat, 'Richard Cox Scott' that had, at 8.05pm, been called by the Coastguard to investigate an EPIRB (emergency position indicating radio beacon) that had been activated within a five mile radius of the Helford River.

Both boats arrived at the mouth of the river shortly after 8.30pm. Directional finding equipment on the boats showed that the signal was coming from further up the river and a search was started.

Falmouth Coastguard had also for help of HMCG rescue Helicopter R192, which arrived after its short flight from Newquay airport.

With both boats continuing to search further up the river, R192 confirmed that the signal was emanating from Constantine Quay, Gweek, and that no further assistance was required.

Both lifeboats were stood down by the Coastguard at 9.32pm, returning to station by 10pm, where they were washed down, refuelled and readied for service once again.