Penlee RNLI volunteer crew launch to help four people on broken down yacht
At 6.51pm yesterday evening the crew pagers sounded and the all-weather lifeboat Ivan Ellen was heading out through the gaps just six minutes later.
The crew were tasked to launch by HM Coastguard at Falmouth who had received a request for assistance from the 50-foot Turn to Starboard yacht ‘Kikila’.
The yacht, with four people onboard, was becalmed and had suffered engine failure seven miles south of Newlyn.
The ‘Kikila’ left St Mary’s, Isles of Scilly yesterday morning on the last leg of her journey from Croatia to Falmouth. Having spent 68 days at sea, travelling 3,500 nautical miles, and just 25 miles from Falmouth, the lack of wind and engine problems stopped the ‘Kikila’ in her tracks!
Her crew battled to get the engine going all day to no avail. Eventually having spent 9 hours at sea, they had no choice than to ask for our assistance.
The Ivan Ellen lifeboat arrived on scene at 7.20pm and immediately took the ‘Kikila’ under tow. On the approach to Newlyn Harbour she was rafted alongside, manoeuvred safely through the gaps, and birthed on the Mary Williams Pier. Her crew then joined us at the boathouse for a catch up and a welcome cuppa.
The Turn to Starboard charity helps serving and retired Armed Forces personnel, and their families, readjust after operational tours and assists them in meeting the unique demands placed on them by Service life.
Their focus is on resettlement, reintegration and reinforcing a sense of value and belonging. To find out more about this amazing charity visit -http://www.turntostarboard.co.uk/
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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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.