The incident began when the 32m general cargo vessel lost all power 11 miles east of Falmouth in conditions described as appalling. The vessel was in danger of being driven ashore in storm force conditions.

Falmouth Coastguard explained that the Coastguard Emergency Towing Vessel (ETV) Anglian Princess was tasked to assist but its estimated time of arrival was three hours later. The launch of Falmouth's RNLI 17m Severn class all weather lifeboat was requested to stand by the cargo vessel prior to the arrival of the ETV and a similar request was made to the RNLI lifeboat from Fowey. When the ship's situation became desperate the Falmouth lifeboat provided sufficient towing assistance to halt the vessel's drift on to the rocky shoreline, working under horrendous conditions.

When Anglian Princess, under the command of Captain Peter Rimmer arrived on scene, it positioned itself to windward of the cargo vessel and illuminated the scene with its search lights in readiness to make a towing connection. Coxswain Pollard described the conditions as a 'bubbling cauldron'.

Captain Rimmer made two attempts before the ship was successfully taken in tow in winds gusting up to 60 knots - violent storm force 11. During his second approach a large wave hit the tug and the Galina.

The aft deck of the tug was swamped and the deck crew, all large strong men, were swept off their feet and Galina disappeared in a wall of water and spray. Fortunately, neither vessel lost any crew and the cargo ship was towed out of danger to where it was eventually able to get its engine restarted.

Mr Carl Beare, managing director of Klyne Tugs said, 'This is an excellent example of co-operation between a Maritime & Coastguard Agency Emergency Towing Vessel working in tandem with the RNLI and exemplifies the skill, determination and courage required to effect such a rescue.'

In November 1998 Captain Peter Rimmer received the Chief Coastguards Commendation for aid given by Anglian Prince, another Klyne ETV, to the disabled fishing vessel Sundari in horrendous weather conditions earlier that year. Anglian Prince stood by Sundari west of the Isle of Lewis for over 25 hours in storm force 11 winds and seas that were breaking completely over the 1,598 ton salvage tug.