The Falmouth all weather lifeboat was called into action on Sunday morning, after a call from a yacht with a fouled propeller.

Falmouth Coastguard requested that the crew launch to assist the 38ft Yacht Moonshine with seven persons on board after it fouled its propeller while approaching the entrance to the Helford River.

A spokesman said: "The All Weather Lifeboat left its pontoon berth at 6.30am and having crossed Falmouth Bay arrived on scene one mile east of Nare Point at 6.51am. The yacht had dropped its anchor but was dragging towards the North West.

Due to the prevailing sea conditions it proved impossible for the yacht's crew to recover the anchor so this was released and the yacht was taken in tow at 7.05am. The yacht was towed to Falmouth Inner Harbour and placed on County Wharf pontoon to allow the crew to clear the propeller before continuing on their passage.

The All Weather Lifeboat was back alongside its pontoon berth by 8.25am

The charter yacht from Plymouth had been on passage from the Isles of Scilly to the Helford. It had been approaching the entrance to the Helford River when the Jib Sheet had inadvertently gone into the water and became wrapped around the propeller.

In the prevailing weather conditions the skipper decided it would be unwise to try and sail into the Helford so he radioed for assistance.