St Ives RNLI lifeboat launches to fishing vessel taking on water

The crew quickly launched to the reported location of Pen enys Point, and whilst on route the crew were updated that the Dolly P, Seahorse and Cornish Crest which are three local St Ives pleasure boats were also on the scene offering support to the fishing vessel.

When the crew arrived on scene, they could see that the vessel was still taking on and pumping water out. The fishing crew explained to the crew that they had mechanical failure. The crew needed to tow the fishing vessel, a line was passed, and the lifeboat took them under tow.

The lifeboat made its way back to St Ives harbour, the crew knew that the tide would be ebbing away as high water had been at 10.30am – this meant that the crew would be short of water. On arrival back the sea was only 1 metre outside of the harbour piers. Definitely not enough water for crew to raft alongside and go up alongside the Quay. But the fantastic mariners’ community in St Ives offered assistance.

One of the local rib rides Matt Spencer Smith offered to put the casualty in with the rib, as it’s a much shallower draft and get them to safety. This decision was made because the crew couldn’t risk putting the lifeboat in the harbour on an ebb tide, and risk retrieval with our supercat due to other vessels in the harbour - safety first always.

Robin Langford deputy 2nd coxswain commented “An effective rescue, with great local partnership – that’s what makes St Ives such a great community”

Notes to editors

· Photo 1 – Crew having returned – Niki Brooks RNLI

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