Rescue at Sea

Published 10:03 on 27 Jul 2023

Charles and Lorna on China Blue left Salcombe on a lovely Monday morning in very light airs heading for Dartmouth. A friendly radio check with NCI Prawle Point as we motor sailed towards  Start Point and as the sea was really calm rounded close in and headed towards the entrance to the Dart. 

After a leisurely early lunch, suddenly everything changed!  A squall hit with 18kts across the deck and a PAN PAN on the radio. We quickly realised we were the closest boat and offered assistance to Falmouth Coastguard, who asked us to help. The casualty vessel Senoyl III had lost power with a suspected blocked sea water inlet and needed a tow. The sea state was a little lumpy which made approaching Senoyl III difficult. We circled her a few times giving instructions and getting ourselves ready to tow. It was still raining hard and windy! We organised a bridle across both stern cleats and put fenders out. The final approach on Senoyl III leeside worked well and they were able to throw us a line which we attached to the bridle, taking care it didn't drop in the water. 

We took Senoyl III under tow and headed slowly towards the Dart with a Royal Naval training yacht shadowing us. When we arrived at the harbour we were met by the harbour master and they took Senoyl III off to a berth while we continued to Darthaven Marina. A while later a bottle of prosecco arrived, very nice!