Penlee RNLI assists stricken fishing vessel
Penlee lifeboat dispatched to fishing vessel with engine failure 20 miles from Scilly in poor conditions
St Mary’s RNLI launched their Severn Class lifeboat The Whiteheads and arrived on the scene shortly after midnight. However, the weather was poor with a southerly force 7-8, rough seas and a 5-metre swell.
Other vessels offered assistance but, after assessing the conditions, St Mary’s Lifeboat coxswain decided the safest option was to tow the vessel to Newlyn, the nearest safe haven.
Penlee’s all-weather lifeboat Ivan Ellen, under the command of Coxswain Patch Harvey and with six RNLI volunteers, slipped the moorings at 5:45am and headed northeast of Wolf Rock towards the rendezvous point. After a long and uncomfortable tow by the St Mary’s lifeboat, the line was dropped at 7:15am and they returned to the Islands.
Penlee then handed over their towing rope and bridles to the fishing vessel and began towing at 7:30am.
Penlee RNLI is based in Newlyn, Penzance, Cornwall TR18 5HW. The volunteers crew an all-weather Severn Class Lifeboat the Ivan Ellen 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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The RNLI is the charity that 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 146,700 lives.
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