A Falmouth Lifeboat Volunteer is taking part in this year's AZAB yacht race.

The Azores and Back (AZAB) Category 1 ocean yacht race started in Falmouth on Saturday the 3rd of June which saw thirty-eight teams race off to the port of Ponta Delgada, on the Azores Island of São Miguel.

The AZAB is a 2,400-mile ocean regatta, It can take 7/10 days to reach the island so those competing have a chance to enjoy the island for around a week before the return leg of the race back to Falmouth.

Royal Cornwall Yacht Club in Falmouth has organised the event every four years since the first race back in 1975 by the club's very own Colin Drummond who turned the wishes of an ocean race that started and finished in the UK into reality.

Falmouth Lifeboat has shared that one of their crewman, James Murray, has joined a crew on board the yacht Confusion for the race.

The lifeboat team waving goodbye to James (Image: Falmouth Lifeboat)

The lifeboat team shared that James' grandad was an engineer in the merchant navy and a keen sailor with much respect for the sea and the RNLI.

James and his partner Irina arrived in Falmouth five years ago, just two minutes from the lifeboat house, James volunteered as a trainee crew and has felt privileged to be part of the station since.

The teams are currently approaching the end of the first (outbound) leg, before setting sail again homeward on 20 June.

James' progress can be followed at www.azab.co.uk Falmouth lifeboat said everyone at the station is wishing him and his crew the best of luck.

You can find a full lineup here: AZAB 2023 Entrants - AZAB

You can find more information on the official website: The MailASail Azores and Back Race

You may also be interested to hear about a new RNLI shop to open in Falmouth which is looking for volunteers.