Sennen Cove RNLI volunteers launch twice in twenty-four hours
Thursday 19 May proved to be a busy day for Sennen Cove lifeboat station with two disabled vessels being towed into Newlyn Harbour.
At 1.56am HM Coastguard Falmouth requested the assistance of the Sennen Cove Tamar class all-weather lifeboat. They had received a call for assistance from a 15 metre fishing vessel with a crew of seven that had broken down near the Runnel Stone.
The relief all-weather lifeboat Edward and Barbara Prigmore launched at 2.12am under the command of Coxswain Ollie George, with a total of seven RNLI volunteer crew on board and made a safe speed to the casualty.
Another fishing vessel stood by until the lifeboat had sight of the casualty vessel. They then continued on their passage.
On arriving on scene and following discussions with the casualty vessel’s captain, the Coxswain made the decision that undertaking a tow to the nearest ‘safe and suitable port’ was necessary and the best way to assist the casualty vessel.
At 2.45am the volunteer crew commenced a tow towards Newlyn. Steady progress was made with the lifeboat and casualty vessel arriving at Newlyn around 5.10 am.
Once the fishing vessel was in the safety of Newlyn harbour the lifeboat returned to Sennen Cove where she was recovered up the short slip, washed down, refuelled and made ready for her next service.
The second service launch occurred during the evening of the 19 May when Sennen Cove Tamar class all-weather lifeboat was being recovered following a training exercise. HM Coastguard Falmouth requested that they launch to a small yacht in difficulties nine miles west-north-west of Sennen Cove. They had received a call for assistance from the yacht’s two crew after their engine had failed and they were unable to sail.
The relief all-weather lifeboat Edward and Barbara Prigmore launched at 7.40pm under the command of Coxswain Ollie George, with a total of six RNLI volunteer crew on board and made a safe speed to the casualty.
On arriving on scene and following discussions with the casualty vessel’s crew, the coxswain made the decision that undertaking a tow to the nearest ‘safe and suitable port’ was necessary and the best way to assist the casualty vessel.
As the two occupants of the yacht were both feeling under the weather it was decided to transfer them to the lifeboat and place two of the RNLI volunteers aboard the yacht to set up a tow.
At 8.45pm the volunteer crew commenced a tow towards Newlyn. Steady progress was made with the lifeboat and casualty vessel arriving at Newlyn around 12.05 am.
Once the yacht was safely tied up in Newlyn harbour the lifeboat returned to Sennen Cove, arriving at 1.03am where she was recovered up the long slip, washed down, refuelled and made ready for her next service.
Ends.
Notes to editors
For more information, please telephone Tim Stevens, Lifeboat Press Officer on 07971518403 or [email protected] or Brian Simpson, RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Deputy Press Officer on 01736 871631, or 07762 057127 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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For more information on the RNLI please visit rnli.org. News releases and other media resources, including RSS feeds, downloadable photos and video, are available at the RNLI News Centre rnli.org/news-and-media.
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.