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Sennen Cove lifeboat launches to assist surfer

Lifeboats News Release

On Tuesday 6 October about 5.25 pm HM Coastguard Falmouth requested the all-weather lifeboat to launch following reports that a surfer had got into difficulties at Porthcurno in the poor sea and weather conditions.

Sennen Cove's Tamar class Lifeboat 'City of London III' returing to Sennen Cove

RNLI/Timothy Stevens

Sennen Cove Lifeboat returning to station
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The Penlee inshore lifeboat was also tasked to assist in the search.
The 'City of London III' launched at 5.35 pm. It was, in fact, a tricky launch in view of the adverse conditions. It was a question of choosing a favourable gap in the pounding waves. As the boat was turning out of the bay, a report came through that the surfer had thankfully managed to get ashore, and the lifeboats were stood down. However, with a west-north-west gale blowing the conditions were too severe for the Sennen Cove lifeboat to be safely recovered up either slipway and the crew had no option but to make for the safety of Newlyn harbour.
They arrived in Newlyn at 6.30 pm, where they received a warm welcome from the Penlee crew. The 'City of London III' stayed overnight in Newlyn Harbour and was brought home to Sennen Cove at about 9.00 am this morning, as the sea conditions were calmer. The lifeboat was recovered up the short slip, refueled and made ready for her next service.

SSennen Cove Lifeboat 'City of London III' on the short slipway following her recovery on 07.10.20 with a rainbow over the Cowloe reef

RNLI/Timothy Stevens

Sennen Cove Lifeboat 'City of London III' and rainbow
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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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About the author

Timothy Stevens
Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer, Sennen Cove Lifeboat Station

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