St Ives RNLI Lifeboat crew respond to mayday call
At 10.45pm on Monday 3 July, the St Ives RNLI all-weather lifeboat, Nora Stachura, was launched in response to a request from the Falmouth Coastguard. A mayday call had been received from a single-handed 9m yacht that was taking on water seven miles north-west of St Agnes.
With Coxswain Robert Cocking at the helm, the St Ives Lifeboat Nora Stachura and its crew reacted quickly to the call and proceeded to the scene. They experienced a force 3-4 westerly wind and a slight swell.
A 924 Search and Rescue helicopter was also covering the incident but was stood down once the lifeboat crew arrived to take control of the situation. Due to the yacht, Kotuku, taking on water, the coxswain drew the lifeboat alongside it to allow two crew members to board so that they could assist with halting the leak.
With RNLI Second Mechanic Mark Penberthy and volunteer crew member Jake Martin on board, the yacht was safely escorted back to St Ives Harbour. The rescue lasted for approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes.
The collaboration between St Ives RNLI lifeboat crew, Falmouth Coastguard and the Search and Rescue team proved once again to be vital in achieving a successful outcome.
RNLI Notes to editors
The enclosed photographs show:
- The 9m yacht Kotuku.
- The all-weather lifeboat helping Kotuku find a mooring after being towed.
- The all-weather lifeboat, Nora Stachura, launching.
Please credit RNLI/Alban Roinard for all photos.
RNLI media contacts
For more information please contact one of the St Ives RNLI Lifeboat Press Officers:
- Alban Roinard (first response/visual media) on 07814 541880.
- Phil Moyle (editor/spokesman) on 07886 475974.
Key facts about the RNLI
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution is the charity that saves lives at sea. Our volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service in the United Kingdom and Ireland from 238 lifeboat stations, including four along the River Thames and inland lifeboat stations at Loch Ness, Lough Derg, Enniskillen, Carrybridge and Lough Ree. Additionally the RNLI has more than 1,000 lifeguards on over 240 beaches around the UK and operates a specialist flood rescue team, which can respond anywhere across the UK and Ireland when inland flooding puts lives at risk.
The RNLI relies on public donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. As a charity it is separate from, but works alongside, government-controlled and funded coastguard services. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824 our lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved at least 140,000 lives. Volunteers make up 95% of the charity, including 4,600 volunteer lifeboat crew members and 3,000 volunteer shore crew. Additionally, tens of thousands of other dedicated volunteers raise funds and awareness, give safety advice, and help in our museums, shops and offices.
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The RNLI is a charity registered in England and Wales (209603) and Scotland (SC037736). Charity number 20003326 in the Republic of Ireland