Seven saved FALMOUTH, Sunday May 24, 1987: The 56ft yacht Sule Skerry was in the Helford River with a heavy swell running when a rope fouled her propeller and she was driven into a rocky cleft at the foot of the cliffs at Durgan, near Falmouth. On board was the owner, Mr Roddy Ainslie, of Restronguet, near Penryn, his wife Sue and their two children, another adult and two other children. Mrs Ainslie and the children were able to disembark and Mr Ainslie fired a distress flare. Within 20 minutes, at 1419, Falmouth's 52ft Arun class lifeboat Elizabeth Ann, slipped her moorings and headed for the casualty, arriving at 1448.

Crew member Sid Siddall (pictured right, wearing white cap) was put aboard the Sule Skerry to assist and secure a tow line. The yacht had been badly holed by the rocks, however, and sank shortly after being pulled clear of danger (below). The survivors were all put safely ashore and the Elizabeth Ann was refuelled and ready for service at 1745. photographs by courtesy of Cornish Photonews.