Falmouth Coastguards have praised the combined effort to refloat the grounded cargo ship in "atrocious" conditions yesterday - after revealing they had to rescue one onlooker who almost got washed out to sea.

The coastguards were the first emergency service on the scene when the bulk carrier Kuzma Minin became stranded on Gyllyngvase Beach just before 6am, with 18 crew onboard, after dragging its anchor in a southerly gale.

Yet the stricken ship was not the only one getting into trouble. While at the beach watching the rescue operation, one member of the public was caught out by a large wave and subsequently had to be pulled from the water by coastguard officers nearby.

A spokesperson for Falmouth Coastguard Rescue Team said: "This is exactly why we provide a 'safety cordon'. Please listen to the advice of emergency services on scene. We're not out to ruin your fun."

Describing the scene that greeted their arrival to the beach first thing, the spokesperson said: "We were faced with a 180-metre vessel, hard aground, broadside to the beach. The vessel had a list of around five degrees.

"The port side of the vessel was being hit with a significant swell and winds gusting up to around 65 miles per hour.

"It was quickly established that the 18 crew where safe and well onboard and happy to stay put."

Shortly afterwards they were joined by the Falmouth pilot boat and RNLI Falmouth all weather lifeboat.

As a precaution they closed off the eastern and western access to the beach, to control the flow of people who were arriving to see the drama unfold.

"At that stage it was unclear if the hull of the vessel had been breached and if there was any subsequent pollution. Again as a precaution, we advised that people to keep their dogs on leads and out of the water," said the spokesperson.

The incident was declared 'major' and further teams started to arrive, with an on scene commander' brought in to direct the operation.

The sea conditions where such that the pilot boat was unable to get the pilot safely onboard the Kuzma Minin, so one of the Falmouth harbour pilots was picked up by coastguard helicopter at Falmouth Rugby Club to be winched down onto the ship.

With the experienced pilot now board, the plan was to try and refloat the ship on the next tide, which was due to be highest at 1pm.

Three tugs from A&P Falmouth arrived and after a number of failed attempts a tow line was finally placed on the cargo ship. After some difficulties a fourth tug was requested and this meant some headway was made.

With a fifth tug then arriving from Fowey, combined with a drop in the wind and the tide at its peak, the grounded vessel was finally freed and towed to safety into deep water.

The coastguard spokesperson said: "An outstanding display of seamanship from all vessels on scene. The conditions where atrocious.

"The harbour tugs especially were very much operating outside of their comfort zone. Also a superb display of flying by the helicopter crew."

The coastguards have since given "huge thanks" to Gylly Beach Café, St Michaels Resort, Gyllyngvase Surf Life Saving Club and the RNLI South Cornwall lifeguards for their hospitality, as well as to the several members of the public that offered to buy them refreshments out of their own pockets.

Due to the serious nature of the incident, the Silver Command room at Truro's County Hall swung into action.

Among the teams working as part of the operation were: Falmouth, Porthoustock and Porthleven coastguard rescue teams,

Falmouth Coastguard Operations Centre, five full time coastguard officers, the coastguard rescue helicopter, Falmouth Lifeboat, Falmouth pilots, A&P Falmouth which sent tugs and workboats, Falmouth Harbour Commissioners, Fowey Harbour Commissioners which supplied the additional Tug 'Cannis', Devon & Cornwall Police, Cornwall Council, the Environment Agency, South Western Ambulance Service and Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service.