Lifeboat volunteers went to the rescue of a small fishing boat after it caught fire.

Fowey RNLI launched the lifeboat shortly after 8am on Saturday (March 4), alerted by HM Coastguard after a 16ft fishing vessel had become stranded out in St Austell Bay due to a small engine fire.

In calm but cold weather conditions, the crew made best speed to the stranded vessel. 

The boat was lying at anchor two nautical miles south of Gribbin Head. 

The lifeboat crew found two crew on the fishing vessel had managed to put the fire out.

Fowey crew ascertained that the fire was fully out and there were no casualties. 

They then set up a tow-line and towed the boat back to safety at Caffa Mill in Fowey Harbour.

It was the first time Fowey RNLI’s volunteer launch authority, Dan Cohen, had been in charge of a launch. 

Fowey RNLI crew working on the tow
Fowey RNLI crew working on the tow (RNLI)

Dan authorised the launch of the all-weather lifeboat with cox Jonathan Pritchard and crew members Jimmy Hoddinott, James Dowrick, Ross Jezard, Pete Parry, Tom Cunningham, Paul Birkby and Callum Pritchard on board.