HM Coastguard coordinated a search and rescue operation and rescued two yachtsmen after a personal locator beacon was activated around 10.30pm yesterday (5 July).
An Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) beacon alert was received for French registered yacht Gamin approximately 40 nautical miles off the Isles of Scilly.
Falmouth Coastguard Operations Centre coordinated the search and the St Mary’s RNLI lifeboat, the Newquay search and rescue helicopter and a merchant vessel proceeded to locate the vessel.
The capsized yacht was located just after midnight. Two French nationals onboard confirmed they were not injured.
The crew of the St Mary’s lifeboat rescued the yachtsmen at around 2.15am today (July 6) and returned them to St Marys Harbour.
A surveillance aircraft is currently keeping watch over the yacht to ensure the safety of other vessels until it can be removed.
HM Coastguard Controller James Instance said: “We were alerted to the incident because the crew set off two EPIRBs, which enabled us to successfully locate them. This demonstrates the importance of carrying EPIRBS and ensuring they are registered with the Coastguard.”
