Penlee RNLI lifeboat assists yachtsman

Penlee Lifeboat under the command of coxswain Patch Harvey with six volunteer crew members launched and proceeded to Penzance Harbour where they found the yacht had got into difficulty after fouling its propeller in poor weather conditions due the strong east wind force 6-7 with rain.

With shallow water in the harbour the lifeboat volunteers launched the Y-class lifeboat from the deck of Ivan Ellen with three crew members aboard who assisted the yacht owner to clear the propeller and secure the vessel preventing damage to the yacht and other vessels in the harbour.

The yacht’s skipper was then taken ashore and the Y-class boat was recovered back aboard the Penlee Lifeboat.

At 4am Penlee Lifeboat made her way back to Newlyn and after a wash down the lifeboat was ready for its next service.

The Penzance Coastguard Cliff Rescue Team were also tasked and attended with seven volunteers led by officer in charge James Maddern and were assisting the yachtsman before the lifeboat arrived. A Coastguard Mud Rescue Team was also en-route to Penzance Harbour but were not required.

Ivan Ellen crew
Coxswain Patch Harvey, mechanic Tony Rendle, Trevelyan Worth, Andrew Wood, Will Treneer, Natalie Wilkinson and Sam Ashworth.

Always wear a lifejacket on deck and a harness where appropriate. If you use a dinghy or tender to access your boat, make sure you always wear your lifejacket.

Always carry a means of calling for help. Consider having an additional method like the SafeTrx app. You can also use this app to plan your voyage, and it can alert the coastguard if you are overdue. You should also register your vessel with the coastguard through this app.
Always check the weather forecast and tide times.

RNLI media contacts
For more information, please contact Phil Monckton, Penlee Lifeboat Press Officer on 07879818095 or [email protected], or Amy Caldwell, RNLI Regional Media Manager [email protected] or Emma Haines, RNLI Regional Media Officer, on 07786 668847 or [email protected].

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 142,700 lives.

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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.