Penlee RNLI double call to assist fishermen

The first tasking for our all-weather Severn Class lifeboat Ivan Ellen under Coxswain Amy Smith and 5 RNLI volunteers, was at 7am to a fisherman with an eye injury aboard a Belgian fishing vessel 6-7 miles south-east of Newlyn. The casualty was transferred to the lifeboat and taken to West Cornwall hospital for treatment. After release from hospital the casualty was returned to his vessel by the lifeboat during their usual Sunday training session later the same day. The weather was force 6 north-easterly with a moderate sea.

The second tasking for Penlee RNLI was for our B class Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat the Mollie and Ivor Dent at 8am the same morning to assist a fishing vessel with a fouled propellor off Porthcurno. Helm James Roberts and 2 RNLI volunteers tried to remove the fouling from the vessel’s propellor which proved difficult in the moderate sea. A full risk assessment was carried out and the decision was made that the safest course of action was to carry out a tow and bring the vessel to the nearest safe harbour at Newlyn.

RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

Philip Monckton, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for RNLI South West, [email protected]

Emma Haines, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for South West England, 07786 668847, [email protected]

Amy Caldwell, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for South West England, 07920 818807, [email protected]

RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789, [email protected]

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

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