Sailor airlifted to safety from grounded catamaran

A rescue helicopter and two lifeboat crews were drafted in to help the sailor and his grounded catamaran

A sailor had to be airlifted from his grounded catamaran in the early hours of Thursday morning after the vessel ran into difficulties near Constantine Bay.

Volunteer lifeboat crews from Padstow and Newquay launched to the scene just before 1am.

Local coastguard volunteers were tasked to investigate but were unable to reach the boat from the beach so they contacted the RNLI.

Once at the scene, lifeboat crews found the catamaran in the surf line and were also unable to get to it due to shallow water.

Speaking about the incident an RNLI spokesperson said: “The helm of the D-class carefully navigated the 1m surf and managed to get alongside the vessel, which had now moved further onto rocks, but the casualty declined to get off his boat.”

As a result, a search and rescue helicopter from RNAS Culdrose was tasked, and winched the man from the boat to the beach.

Once safely ashore, rescue crews found the sailor to be unharmed.

“Conditions included a north westerly 3-4 wind and moderate seas. Unfortunately the lifeboat crews were unable to save the catamaran.

“Padstow RNLI volunteers returned to station at 3am, with Newquay crews arriving back to their station at 3.30am, giving them a few hours sleep before getting up for their day,” added the spokesperson.