A man and his five-year-old daughter have been safely guided back to
shore after becoming lost in their boat in thick fog off Padstow.

Falmouth
Coastguard received a 999 call just before 6.20pm on Saturday evening from the
man who said he’d lost track of where he was. He had to call the
Coastguard on his mobile phone as his VHF radio on board wasn’t working.

Falmouth Coastguard talked the man through his recent passage, taking in
time and direction, before piecing together where the 17ft boat was likely
to be.

Once a location had been determined, a Pan Pan alert was
broadcast to see if any other boats in the area could help.

A nearby
fishing vessel responded and managed to locate the man and his daughter
approximately four miles off shore.

They were then guided back to Padstow,
where they were met by the Padstow Coastguard Rescue Team.

Simon Dennis, Watch Officer at Falmouth Coastguard, said: ‘It was lucky that this man managed to get in touch with us so we could
help track down his whereabouts and send rescue resources to help.

‘With
his VHF radio out of order, he had to rely on his mobile phone to raise
the alarm. He also didn’t have any lifejackets on board.

‘We always urge people to check the weather before they set off, just in
case they get caught out in fog like this evening.

‘You also need make
sure all your communications equipment on board is working so you can
call for help if needed.

‘We also want to take this opportunity to remind
people to wear a lifejacket. It’s useless unless worn, and could save
your life.’