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Penlee RNLI volunteers launched to RIB with seven people aboard

Lifeboats News Release

At 2.05pm on Sunday 4th June 2023 Penlee’s RNLI B class Atlantic 85 lifeboat was dispatched by Falmouth Coastguard to assist with a RIB which was taking on water with seven people on board.

Picture shows ILB returning to station

RNLIPatch Harvey

Penlee RNLI volunteers return from the Lizard
The ILB Mollie and Ivor Dent made good speed across the bay to the Lizard area in reasonable conditions arriving at 2.35pm through a force four east-south-east wind and a slight to moderate sea. It would normally be a shout for the Lizard RNLI volunteers but they had already been dispatched to a yacht requiring assistance 20 miles south of the Lizard.

The volunteer crew arrived at the wonderful sounding Soapy Cove, finding that six people including children were ashore having been dropped off by the rib who intended to return to pick them up but with water in the fuel tank he couldn’t start the engine.

The RNLI lifeboat collected the six people from the beach keeping the children on the lifeboat and transferring the adults to the rib from where they were towed to safety in Porthleven.

Crew:
Andrew Wood helm, Amy Smith, Gary Johnson and Sam Ashworth.

shows a map of the area

RNLI/Patch Harvey

Shows track of RNLI Lifeboat to the Lizard

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, Twitter 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.

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