A speedboat was rescued one mile off Millendreath last night after suffering engine problems.
The 16 foot vessel, which had three people on board, was towed back into Looe by lifeboat crew.
‘Falmouth Coastguard control centre received a 999 call from a speedboat which was having engine problems,’ said a spokesperson for Looe Lifeboat Station.
‘Within five minutes our RNLI volunteer crew had launched the charity’s Atlantic 85 and headed to the reported position, one mile south of Millendreath.
‘In the fading light it was difficult for our crew to see the speedboat which did not have navigation lights. The people on board used the torch on their mobile phone to guide the crew to their location.’
Volunteer helm Matt Jaycock said he was pleased to see that the people on the speedboat were wearing buoyancy aids. He recommends a few other safety checks that should be carried out before taking a boat out to sea: checking your engine, ensuring you have enough fuel for the planned trip, carrying reserve fuel, carrying a suitable means of calling for help and telling someone where you are going and when you expect to be back.