Penlee RNLI volunteers help to recover casualty from beach at Porthleven

Both the all-weather lifeboat Ivan Ellen and the Inshore lifeboat Mollie and Ivor Dent launched from Newlyn shortly after 7.00am at the request of HM Coastguard at Falmouth and were quickly on scene. The volunteer crew of the Mollie and Ivor Dent carried out a shoreline search and located the casualty on the beach below the cliffs.

At the request of HM Coastguard, the Inshore lifeboat and its crew of four then made its way through the breaking surf - three crew members, two from the all-weather lifeboat and one from the Inshore lifeboat, were dropped off on the beach. RNLI Coxswain Patch Harvey said, "This was a very difficult and challenging manoeuvre for the Inshore lifeboat to make, but our volunteer senior helmsman did a first class job. It's a very dangerous section of the coast between Porthleven and Loe Bar with a shelving beach and large waves breaking on the shore, but due to great skill and seamanship the three crew members were safely placed on the beach".

The volunteer crew then assisted the Porthleven and Mullion Coastguard Rescue teams with the recovery of the casualty - care was the handed over to police officers on scene.

RNLI Coxswain Patch Harvey said, "This was a very difficult shout for both our volunteer crews but, as always, they dealt with the situation in a calm, compassionate and professional manner. Our thoughts and sympathies are with the casualty's family and friends".

Notes to Editor: Please note that the RNLI does not have any further information on this matter and all enquiries must go to Devon & Cornwall Police.

Credits - Please credit Michael Perkins (via Facebook) for Photo 1 and RNLI Penlee Photo 2

Elaine Trethowan, RNLI Penlee Lifeboat Press Officer - 0770 466 9406

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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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