04/01/2006

Man escapes blaze on yacht

A man has escaped uninjured after his yacht caught fire while he slept onboard in the early hours of this morning.

Falmouth Coastguard was called, following reports of a fire onboard a vessel in the Penryn River around 4am.

The Falmouth RNLI Inshore Lifeboat was also requested to launch, and the fire service used the lifeboat to fight the fire, before they boarded a neighbouring vessel to douse the flames further.

It was initially unclear if there was anyone on board the yacht – the 28ft ‘Lasina 2’ - when the fire broke out, but the Coastguard later located the owner, who had escaped through the front hatch of his vessel, when he realised it was ablaze.

The man, who was in his late twenties, waded across the mud to a neighbouring vessel.

Henry Purbrick, Falmouth Coastguard Watch Manager, said: “The owner of this vessel brought the boat up from Truro to Penryn yesterday. He lived on the vessel, so all of his belongings were destroyed in the fire, which he thinks could have started in the engine room.

“The yacht was burnt to a level beyond the gunwhales and was beyond repair. It sank whilst attempting to tow it to Islington Wharf.

“We would like to remind yacht owners to ensure that their vessels are well maintained for safety at sea and on shore.”

(KMcA)

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