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RNLI Penlee tasked while training

Lifeboats News Release

Penlee’s all-weather Severn Class Lifeboat Volunteer Spirit (a temporary relief lifeboat) under coxswain Patch Harvey and a crew of volunteers had a busy day launching twice on exercise and also responding to three swimmers reported to have been swept out to sea at Prussia Cove.

Shows a lifeboat in poor weather

RNLI/Philip Monckton

Photo of Penlee Lifeboat Ivan Ellen currently being serviced
The team first launched at 10:15am this morning on exercise with an RNLI assessor and it was during the exercise that the lifeboat received a tasking request from Falmouth Coastguard.

The lifeboat proceeded at full speed reaching Prussia Cove in just 10 minutes, the three swimmers were located on the shingle beach where they informed the crew that they had got into difficulties but had managed to get back to shore and were safe and well.

This information was relayed to Falmouth Coastguard and the lifeboat continued with its exercise.

The All Weather Lifeboat returned to Newlyn at 12:30pm then relaunched at 13:30pm for another mechanical assessment exercise lasting two hours.

Key messages
Always try to choose a lifeguarded beach and swim between the red and yellow flags. If you can’t make it to a lifeguarded beach, learn more about your chosen location before you go, and read local hazard signs.

Always consider using a tow float, and wear a brightly coloured swim hat. This will increase your visibility in the water.

If you see someone in trouble, call 999 or 112 and ask for the coastguard. 
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 (but currently have a relief lifeboat Volunteer Spirit while Ivan Ellen is 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].

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.

File photo is Ivan Ellen

Shows the track of the lifeboat to Prussia Cove
Penlee Lifeboats tracking to Prussia Cove

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.