771 assist in search for missing yachtswoman

Rescue 193 from 771 Naval Air Squadron (RNAS) based at Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose was scrambled by the ARCC Kinloss at 0705 this morning on behalf of Falmouth Coastguard to search for a missing female sailor on a 31 foot yacht named “SEAGAIR”.

The crew consisting of pilots Flight Lieutenant Jon Owen, Lieutenant (Lt) Ali Andrews, Search and Rescue Commander and Observer Lieutenant Commander (Lt Cdr) Andy Watts and Winchman Petty Officer (PO) Patch Adams lifted off at 7.30am and began a coastal search from Mousehole clockwise around the coast past Land’s End, Pendeen, St Ives, St Agnes, Newquay and up to Trevose Head. Rescue 169 from Royal Marine Base Chivenor searched from Hartland Point south west to Padstow and the Camel Estuary whilst the Fishery Protection aircraft Rescue 405 searched the north coast and further out to sea. The crew conducted their search in conjunction the other aircraft and with the cliff rescue teams and life boats from Sennen Cove. As the search continued into the afternoon, Rescue 193 returned briefly to RNAS Culdrose to refuel and for the oncoming crew to take over. Now with Lt Cdr Martin Shepherd (the Squadron Commanding Officer), Lt Simon Thompson (P2), Lt Cdr Rob O’Kane (Senior Observer), Lt Sawyer (Observer) and Chief Petty Officer (CPO) Andy Penrose (Paramedic) onboard, the crew flew a further 3½ hours in support of the rescue operation. Lt Cdr Martin Shepherd said: “Over the course of the day, a number of items were recovered from the water in the vicinity of Sennen Cove, which we were able to pass to the coastguard teams on Sennen Cove beach. The extensive search operation, coordinated by Falmouth Coastguard again showed how well the Royal Navy is able to work with the RNLI, HM Coastguard and Coastguard cliff rescue teams.”