Orinico Flo St Mary's lifeboat tow update

These days the AIS shows just how GPS linked in with an autopilot allows vessels to reciprocate a course exactly - even a tow!

With the islands now in sight, the St Mary's lifeboat The Whiteheads with the dismasted yacht, Orinco Flo is nearing the end of her 150 mile tow job.


The Cornish owned yacht left Antigua back in May and was due back in Cornwall some time ago. The yacht's owner had contacted Falmouth Coastguard on the 27th May concerned that the vessel was overdue. 


With the VHF radio now limited in range, a passing 246m tanker, Eagle Turin was the last boat to be in contact with the yacht and had provided food, though the skipper declined any assistance deciding to continue on passage with a jury rigged sail. 


After Falmouth Coastguard involved an SAR helicopter from RNAS Culdrose the skipper was contacted again and he agreed to accept a tow form the St Mary's lifeboat which was duly despatched yesterday evening.

This AIS screenshot from VesselTracker AIS show both the lifeboat and the Orinoco Flo now berthed alongside the quay at St Marys after the 14 hour round trip tow.