St Agnes and St Ives RNLI lifeboats assist broken down fishing vessel

The alarm was raised just before 9.30am this morning when the commercial fishing vessel lost power. It was approximately 50m off the cliffs east of Portreath and in danger of drifting closer to shore.

St Agnes’ D class lifeboat XKalibur was launched at around 9.30am and volunteers made their way to the scene immediately. A tow line was established to tow the vessel away from the immediate danger of the cliffs.

St Agnes RNLI volunteers then took the vessel back into Portreath harbour. St Ives’ Shannon class lifeboat Nora Stachura was also tasked to assist in the rescue. Upon arrival into Portreath harbour, St Ives RNLI lifeboat volunteers maintained communications with Falmouth Coastguard and stood by the St Agnes D class while they made the casualty vessel secure on her mooring.

Both lifeboats returned to station at around 11am.

St Agnes RNLI is holding a naming ceremony for its D-class lifeboat on Saturday (30 April) at 3pm. The lifeboat XKalibur has been funded by the Jaguar Enthusiasts’ Club and the local community.

Then on Sunday 15 May, St Ives RNLI will be holding a naming ceremony for its new Shannon class lifeboat Nora Stachura, the newest lifeboat in the RNLI fleet, and its launch and recovery system.

Notes to editors

More information on the St Agnes and St Ives RNLI naming ceremonies is available on request.

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For more information contact Emma Haines, RNLI Public Relations Manager, on 07786 668847 or [email protected], Chloe Smith, RNLI Press Officer, on 07920 818807 or [email protected] or the RNLI Duty Press Officer on 01202 336789.

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 146,000 lives.

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