Catamaran out of control A CATAMARAN, Floral Dancer of Falmouth with a crew of three aboard, out of control and needing help was reported to the honorary secretary of Sennen Cove lifeboat station by HM Coastguard at 1347 on Saturday February 18. Her position was given as inthe vicinity of Longships Lighthouse.

Storm to hurricane force winds were blowing from the south east with squalls of rain, hail and snow. Visibility varied from a quarter to two miles and the sea was rough when, at 1418, the reserve 37ft Oakley lifeboat The Vincent Nesfield, on temporary duty at Sennen Cove, launched and set off on course at full speed.

By this time, a helicopter had become airborne and she sighted the casualty some two miles west of the Brisons, two rocky islets, and well clear of the lee of the land. Guided by the helicopter, the lifeboat arrived alongside the casualty at 1440. Floral Dancer had a fouled propeller and rudder, her stays and halyards had been carried away and her engine had failed leaving her at the mercy of the wind and tide.

To have transferred the three men aboard her to the lifeboat would have entailed risk to both vessels and to the survivors themselves. Accordingly, a towline was passed and secured and the casualty was taken in tow into therelatively calmer water close in under the land. There it became obvious that the port hull was taking in water fast and unless the catamaran was quickly beached, she could be lost. She was therefore made fast to the starboard side of the lifeboat and a quick run was made for Sennen Cove. Haven was reached safely at 1620 and Floral Dancer was beached without damage to either her or to The Vincent Nesfield.

The securing lines were cut and immediately the lifeboat went full astern to save herself being stranded by the rapidly falling tide.

The lifeboat then returned to her station and was rehoused at 1637..