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Penlee RNLI has first shout of 2026

Lifeboats News Release

Penlee lifeboat is launched to assist St. Mary's lifeboat with casualty under tow

Picture shows a lifeboatman

RNLI/Philip Monckton

File pic Coxswain James Roberts
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Penlee, under Coxswain James Roberts and a crew of RNLI volunteers, launched at 6:15am and were on scene around 7:30am. This was Penlee RNLI’s first shout of 2026.

St Mary’s lifeboat had been towing a casualty all night. When Penlee rendezvoused about 20nm due south of Newlyn The Whiteheads dropped the tow for Penlee to take over. When they had recovered their tow rope, Ivan Ellen moved in and passed their tow rope to the casualty.

Penlee then headed north toward Newlyn arriving back in harbour around 11:30am. Wind was NW 3-4 to originally, NW force 6 by the time Penlee got back into the bay, with a fair swell running around 3 meters in height.

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].


Shows a lifeboat under way

RNLI/Philip Monckton

File picture of Penlee lifeboat Ivan Ellen
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Key facts about the RNLI

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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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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