Penzance promenade rescue

Considering the weather conditions Penlee’s all-weather Severn Class Lifeboat the Ivan Ellen was launched immediately under the command of coxswain Patch Harvey with a crew of six RNLI volunteers.
Patch commenced the search launching the Y-boat from Ivan Ellen and then requested further assistance from the B class Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat which would be efficient searching in shallow water.
The Mollie and Ivor Dent with Will Treneer at the helm and a crew of three RNLI volunteers joined the search in a WSW force 5-6 wind and with a three metre swell which caused problems as the swell bounced off the sea wall.
Penzance Coastguard Cliff Team were also on scene and located casualty struggling to stay afloat. Under the lifeboat flood lights the casualty was found in a poor state and going under. He was recovered by the Y-boat helmed by crewman Treeve Perry and quickly taken to the all-weather Lifeboat where he was made comfortable with blankets and the start of the warming process. On return to Newlyn the casualty was carried up to the lifeboat station on a stretcher and warmed until paramedics arrived after which the casualty was handed over to the ambulance service.
Coxswain Patch Harvey said… “Fourteen RNLI volunteers turned out tonight to offer their service. The crews did a great job, they have definitely saved a life tonight.”


Notes to editors
Penlee RNLI is based in Newlyn, Penzance, Cornwall TR18 5HW. The volunteers crew an all-weather Severn Class Lifeboat the Ivan Ellen and a B class Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat the Mollie and Ivor Dent. The Penlee Lifeboat has a rich 200 years history of saving lives at sea.
RNLI media contacts For more information, please contact Phil Monckton, Penlee Lifeboat Press Officer on 07879818095 or [email protected], or Amy Caldwell, RNLI Regional Communications Manager [email protected] or Emma Haines, RNLI Regional Communications Officer, on 07786 668847 or [email protected].

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The RNLI is the charity that 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 146,700 lives.

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