Newquay RNLI lifeboat volunteers were scrambled to reports of what appeared to be three people clinging to a surfboard in the sea at Fistral.

The charity’s Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat, ‘Uncle Johnny,’ was launched on Saturday, March 16, at 5.20pm.

Three of the lifeboat station’s most experienced crew members along with a trainee helm searched the area in good visibility and a gentle breeze.

It did not take long for the lifeboat to arrive on scene.

However, as the crew got closer, they could see that rather than three people clinging to a surfboard, it was actually three people in a small inflatable dinghy fishing.

Helm, Joe Emmett, steadied the lifeboat close to the dinghy in order for crew member Andrew Trebilcock to speak to the three men.

Joe and Andrew who are both senior helms were concerned for the safety of the men and wanted to ensure they were fully equipped and indeed safe to continue with their fishing trip.

Andrew confirmed that all the fishermen were well and asked if they had lifejackets and a means of calling for help should they find themselves in difficulty.

The men in the dinghy confirmed they were fully equipped, and the lifeboat crew could see they were all wearing full wetsuits.

Satisfied that all was well and that the fishermen were happy to continue enjoying their fishing trip, the lifeboat crew, which included Andrew’s brother Aaron Trebilcock and trainee helm Nick Phillips, returned to Newquay lifeboat station.

Joe said: “When we got closer to the scene, it did actually look like there were three people on a surfboard, so the informant did exactly what the RNLI advises and reported their concerns. 

“As the occupants on the dinghy were quite a way out and in a relatively small craft, we weren’t happy to leave them there until we had spoken to them to confirm that they were all ok and not in any danger.

“It was great to hear that they were following the RNLI’s advice having confirmed that they had a means of communication and were wearing wetsuits and lifejackets.”