Sennen Cove RNLI volunteers at sea throughout the night in difficult conditions
Sennen Cove RNLI volunteer crew were tasked by HM Coastguard Falmouth on Thursday evening to assist a yacht with two people on board in difficulty north of Pendeen lighthouse.
The pagers sounded at 10.50pm on Thursday 26 September, and the Tamar class all-weather lifeboat City of London III launched at 11.03pm under the command of Duty Coxswain Kirstan Gorvin with a total of six volunteer crew.
Conditions were challenging with rough seas, and winds of up to 60mph.
The initial reports gave a position approximately three and a half miles north west of Pendeen lighthouse, but the yacht was finally located using the lifeboat’s radar and VHF direction finder approximately ten miles north of Pendeen lighthouse.
The lifeboat arrived on scene at 12.15am to make an assessment of the situation. Following discussions with the yacht’s crew, 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.
Once a towline was attached, the lifeboat and casualty vessel made for Newlyn Harbour. Progress was very challenging in rough conditions and winds gusting to 60mph. The tow parted on two occasions and had to be reattached.
The RNLI volunteers and casualty vessel eventually arrived in Newlyn at 7.03am and secured the yacht alongside the north quay. The lifeboat then returned to Sennen Cove, was recovered up the long slip at 8.10am and made ready for her next service.
The dedicated volunteer crew of Sennen Cove RNLI spent a total of nine hours at sea overnight.
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.
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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
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