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Sennen Cove RNLI volunteers launch to sinking fishing vessel

Lifeboats News Release

Our RNLI volunteer crew were tasked by HM Coastguard Falmouth, on Tuesday 14 February, following a mayday call for help from a 24 metre fishing vessel, taking water approximately two miles south of Porthgwarra.

Sennen Cove Tamar class lifeboat 'City of London III' on the slipway following the service to the fishing vessel.

RNLI/Timothy Stevens

City of London III being recovered following the service

The Tamar class all-weather lifeboat City of London III launched at 5.55pm with seven RNLI volunteers, under the command of Coxswain Ollie George and made best speed to the area.

The HM Coastguard rescue helicopter was also tasked.

The lifeboat arrived on scene around 6.12pm. The coxswain advised the four crew of the fishing vessel to take to their liferaft as the fishing vessel was low in the water and clearly sinking.

The lifeboat was unable to make a safe approach to the fishing vessel as her trawling beams were deployed. The RNLI volunteers launched the smaller Y boat and recovered the casualty’s four crew from the liferaft.

Being wet and cold, the coxswain decided to take the casualties immediately to the safety of Newlyn Harbour for further assessment.

Arriving at Newlyn at 7.05pm the four casualties were handed over to HM Coastguard and the Royal National Mission to Deep Sea fishermen.

The lifeboat then returned to Sennen Cove being recovered up the long slip around 9.00 pm and made ready for her next service.

Ends

Notes to editors

For more information, please telephone Tim Stevens, Lifeboat Press Officer on 07971518403 or [email protected] or Brian Simpson, RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Deputy Press Officer on 01736 871631, or 07762 057127 or [email protected], or Amy Caldwell, Regional Media Manager on 07920818807 or [email protected] or contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789

RNLI online

For more information on the RNLI please visit rnli.org. News releases and other media resources, including RSS feeds, downloadable photos and video, are available at the RNLI News Centre rnli.org/news-and-media.

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates over 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824 its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 142,200 lives.

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 142,700 lives.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.

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