Crew and cat rescued from yacht

There was extra relief this week, following the rescue of a yacht which was threatening to smash against Looe's Banjo Pier - when it was realised the ship's cat had survived the drama.

The drama began when the anchor chain of the 26' yacht 'The Rosa' snapped, and the vessel began being blown by an easterly force four to five wind on to the lee shore. The owner, Mr Parkinson from Blackburn, had to watch from the beach while a concerted effort was made to get his wife off of the yacht, and save 'The Rosa' from being smashed broadside up on the beach itself, or on the pier.

Twenty-year-old Bath University student from West Looe, Peter Greenwood, swam out about 20 yards to the yacht, and pulled Mrs Parkinson through the waves to safety.

At the same time the Looe lifeboat, Spirit of RAOC, had put to sea, and worked in tandem with local fishing vessel 'Trya' to pull 'The Rosa' to safety. The lifeboat helped ensure a line was placed between the two other vessels - 'The Trya' with Ernie Curtis on board assisted by another skipper, Rob Davies, succeeding in towing the yacht from danger. They were also assisted by lifeboatman, Tim Jackman, who happened to be on the beach at the time.

At one stage, when the couple's huge ginger cat, Scruffy, could not be found, it was thought he had been washed overboard while the yacht was rolling in the surf. A search was made, of 'The Rosa' after it was towed into West Looe, and of the beach itself, but there was no sign of him.

Spokesman for the RNLI at Looe, Jonathan Brice, said that Scruffy later appeared, however, none the worse for wear. It is thought that he had rushed below into the cabin, and hidden away until all danger had passed.

Mr and Mrs Parkinson were treated by ambulance medics for shock, but later were able to carry on with their holiday. They had been anchored off of Looe, enjoying the good weather, when the anchor chain snapped.

Lifeboat helm was David Haines, while the crew were Louis Portman and Stuart Cairns, supported by Bud Coote, Paul Crossley and Tim Jackman.

The incident began around 2.08pm on Monday. Mr Brice explained: 'Scruffy was about the biggest cat ever. He emerged safe and sound when it was all over.'