LOOE’s lifeboat was launched in darkness and thick fog to go to the aid of a fisherman in trouble.
A call came before dawn yesterday after the skipper of a 17 foot dory experienced engine problems between Looe and Seaton.
Uncertain of his position and drifting, the fisherman, who had set out before sunrise for a day’s angling, dialled 999 for the coastguard. The lifeboat crew made radio contact with the man and were able to locate him and his vessel using the Atlantic 85’s VHF / DSC direction finder, following which they towed the dory back to a mooring on the Looe River.
Lifeboat helm Clive Palfrey said: ‘The VHF direction finder is a fantastic piece of kit to have in those weather conditions.
‘The casualty was carrying all the proper safety equipment: vhf radio, mobile phone, lifejacket, personal locator beacon and waterproof torch, which enabled us to locate him quickly without a prolonged search.’