RNLI Penlee and Sennen joint rescue
Penlee Lifeboat Station's all-weather Severn Class Lifeboat the Volunteer Spirit (a temporary replacement vessel) under coxswain Patch Harvey, mechanic Tony Rendle and five volunteers was tasked by Falmouth Coastguards at 5:20am on 17th March 2024 to assist in the rescue of a single-handed yacht.
Our colleagues at Sennen Cove Lifeboat Station had already launched the Tamar class all-weather lifeboat City of London III under Coxswain Ollie George with his volunteer crew at 1:40am. They had located the yacht and successfully rigged up a tow headed in the direction of Newlyn at a speed of 5 knots.
Penlee Lifeboat rendezvoused with Sennen Cove Lifeboat two miles north of the Longships Lighthouse and at 7:00am the tow was exchanged, Sennen Cove Lifeboat returned to station and Penlee Lifeboat despite having to re-connect the tow twice arrived safely in Newlyn and made ready for service at 11:00am.
The yacht skipper was very appreciative of the assistance provided by both lifeboat crews and Falmouth Coastguard he also very much enjoyed a sausage sandwich and coffee at the RNLI’s Penlee Lifeboat Station.
At 4:00pm the same day Penlee received another tasking request from Falmouth Coastguard this time the B class Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat the Mollie and Ivor Dent was required after reports of a surfer in difficulties near Porthleven, thankfully the surfer got to shore safely before the inshore lifeboat had launched.
Notes to editors
Penlee RNLI is based in Newlyn, Penzance, Cornwall TR18 5HW. The volunteers crew an all-weather Severn Class Lifeboat the Ivan Ellen (temporarily away being serviced) and a B class Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat the Mollie and Ivor Dent. The Penlee Lifeboat has a rich 200 years history of saving lives at sea.
RNLI media contacts For more information, please contact Phil Monckton, Penlee Lifeboat Press Officer on 07879818095 or [email protected], or Amy Caldwell, RNLI Regional Communications Manager [email protected] or Emma Haines, RNLI Regional Communications Officer, on 07786 668847 or [email protected].
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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.
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For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.
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Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.