ST IVES all weather lifeboat The Princess Royal launched to reports of a life raft drifting a mile off Godrevy light house yesterday.
The life raft was initially spotted by RNLI volunteer crew member Barney Stevens who was on duty as part of the charity's lifeguard team patrolling Gwithian beach.
Barney contacted Falmouth coastguard who requested the lifeboat launch.
With directions from the National Coastwatch Institution on the Island at St Ives, the crew located it two nautical miles north of Godrevy lighthouse.
Coxswain Paul Whiston said: "As soon as we sighted the life raft, it was immediately obvious that there was no one inside.
"It was taken aboard the lifeboat and bought back to St Ives in good condition.
"On arrival at the harbour, we were able to check the serial number and trace it to the motor vessel Cwind Athenia who had reported a life raft that had been lost over board off Lands End the day before."
