Sennen Cove RNLI volunteers launch to a yacht and two taskings to cliff fallers

The RNLI volunteer crew’s pagers activated at 3.25 pm and the lifeboat launched shortly after with five crew, under the command of Coxswain Ollie George.

The Lifeboat arrived with the casualty at 4.00pm where a container ship was standing by to assist if needed.

With the casualty in the safe hands of the volunteer lifeboat crew, the vessel standing by the casualty could offer no further assistance and continued on her way.

As the casualty was unable to continue unaided and there remained the risk to her and other shipping, being near the Lands End traffic separation scheme, the Coxswain made the decision that undertaking a tow to the nearest ‘safe and suitable port’ was necessary and the safest way to assist the casualty vessel.

The lifeboat crew then set up a tow with the yacht and commenced towing around 4.30pm. Steady progress was made and the yacht was safely towed to Newlyn harbour around 7.05pm.

Once all was safe and well with the yacht and crew, the City of London III left Newlyn to return to Sennen Cove.

At around 7.35pm the RNLI volunteers were retasked to assist the Coastguard Cliff Rescue Team from Penzance with people who had fallen from the foot path at Pedn Vounder beach near Porthcurno.

Penlee Inshore lifeboat was also tasked to help with the evacuation of the casualties as it was not possible for the Cliff rescue team to safely recover them up the cliff.

Around the same time, and just a mile away, there was another cliff faller sustaining serious injuries at Porth Chapel. The Coastguard Helicopter Paramedic, Coastguard Cliff Rescue Team and an ambulance paramedic were on scene.

At 7.51pm Sennen Cove Inshore Lifeboat Amy Brown launched with three RNLI volunteer crew to go help with the emergency evacuation of this casualty. Penlee all-weather lifeboat was also tasked to help.

Sennen Cove Inshore lifeboat arrived around 8.15 pm. The agencies already on scene had already stabilised the casualty ready for evacuation so he was placed aboard the ILB with the two paramedics and made best speed towards Newlyn to rendezvous with Penlee all-weather lifeboat. The casualty was transferred to the care of the Penlee Lifeboat with the paramedics who took him to Newlyn where he was put in an ambulance and taken to the heliport at Long Rock and flown to Derriford hospital.

The inshore lifeboat returned to Sennen Cove arriving at 9.20pm where she was recovered and made ready for service.

Back at Pedn Vounder the Coastguard Cliff Rescue Team from Penzance had stabilised the two cliff fallers and the Penlee ILB successfully transferred the casualties from the beach to Sennen Cove’s Tamar class lifeboat. The Lifeboat then made best speed to Penlee Lifeboat station where both crews carried the casualties into the lifeboat station into the care of paramedics.

The Sennen Cove RNLI volunteers returned to station arriving back to Sennen Cove around 10.25pm. The lifeboat was then recovered up the long slip, refuelled and made ready for service.

The later two services were prime examples of RNLI Lifeboat volunteers, HM Coastguard, Coastguard cliff rescue teams and Paramedics working together as one outstanding team to help those in trouble around our coast.

Ends.

Notes to editors

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For more information please telephone Brian Simpson, RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 01736 871631, or 07762 057127 or [email protected], or Tim Stevens, Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer on 07971518403 or [email protected] or Amy Caldwell, Regional Media Manager on 07920818807 or [email protected] or contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789

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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 over 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 142,200 lives.

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.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

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.