Penlee Lifeboat’s challenging recovery
RNLI Penlee was tasked by Falmouth Coastguard at 10pm on 11 October 2025 to a 20m tug which had suffered a complete power failure 9 miles SSE of Newlyn with four persons onboard.
RNLI Penlee’s Ivan Ellen launched just 7 minutes after the initial tasking under the command of Coxswain Patch Harvey and a crew of six RNLI volunteers, the lifeboat arrived on scene just before 11pm. A near-by merchant vessel had stood-by until the Lifeboat arrived. Due to the casualty vessel being dead in the water and being a navigational hazard the assessment was made that the safest option would be to attempt to tow the vessel to Newlyn Harbour.
At 11pm a tow line was attached and despite the size and weight of the vessel the Severn class lifeboat with 2500 hp towed the vessel between 4 - 4.5 knots at low revs towards Newlyn. The lifeboat crew then set up an alongside tow just outside the harbour gaps and towed the casualty vessel through the entrance to a berth inside the harbour after two and a half hours towing.
Coxswain Patch Harvey said: “Despite the size and weight of the towing vessel that required assistance our Severn Class lifeboat towed it safely and comfortably. My crew did a great job rigging and passing the tow initially and then setting up the alongside tow close to the harbour.”
Weather conditions were a SE 3-4, with a 1m swell and good visibility. It was almost 2am when Ivan Ellen was declared ready for its next service after being re-fuelled and washed down.
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