Penlee RNLI’s lifeboats launch to vessel aground near Porthleven
Penlee RNLI’s inshore and all-weather lifeboats launched at 10.25pm last night (Thursday 6 September) to reports of a vessel that had gone aground near Porthleven. The vessel was towed back to Newlyn harbour.
The all-weather lifeboat Ivan Ellen and inshore lifeboat Mollie and Ivor Dent launched at 10.26pm from Newlyn and were quickly on scene.
On arrival the inshore lifeboat was guided into the shore by the Porthleven and Mullion Coastguard Rescue Teams who lit up the sea with powerful search lights. The volunteer crew quickly located a 22-foot motor vessel, the Julie Ann, with two people onboard, aground on a beach just east of Porthleven.
In difficult conditions and shallow water, the volunteer crew of the inshore lifeboat managed to get a rope to the stricken vessel and slowly towed it off the beach. Volunteer crewman Jack Shannon was transferred to the motor vessel and the tow was passed to the all-weather lifeboat Ivan Ellen.
Because of the low tide a decision was made to tow the vessel to Newlyn - at 1am both lifeboats and the casualty vessel arrived safely in Newlyn Harbour, it was rafted alongside the lifeboat and towed to a pontoon berth.
The casualty vessel, recently purchased from Plymouth, was on route to the Isle of Man when its anchor rope parted. The vessel then drifted ashore - the VHF radio did not work which meant the crew on board were unable to call for assistance. Thankfully a member of the public saw the vessel aground and reported it via 999 to Falmouth Coastguard Operations Centre.
The new owner of the boat didn’t wish to be named but said: ‘We didn’t really want to be rescued by the lifeboat but we were both really pleased to see them heading towards and realise that it was for the best. Crew member Jack was spot on - he came onboard to assist us and knew exactly what he was doing. We had to cut our anchor away to remain safe. Our thanks go to the crew and everyone that helped us last night.’
They plan to continue their journey once all the vessel’s safety equipment is fully functional and have received relevant safety advice from Penlee RNLI.
Both lifeboats were refuelled, washed down, and made ready for service at 1:45am this morning.
ALB Crew - Coxswain Patch Harvey, Mechanic Tony Rendle, Jack Shannon, Adrian Bick, Paul Boulton, Marcel Le Bretton & Jason Ward.
ILB Crew - Helm Ben Keogh, Dan Sell, Andrew Wood & Tom Matson.
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
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