Donate now

Penlee RNLI kayaker rescue

Lifeboats News Release

Penlee RNLI was tasked by Falmouth Coastguard at 4:15pm on 11 October 2026 to attend a male kayaker in a black wetsuit believed to have gone ashore on rocks approximately one mile southwest of Mousehole harbour.

Picture shows a lifeboat in harbour upon return from a rescue

RNLI/Philip Monckton

Mollie and Ivor Dent returns to Newlyn
Download image
The man was last seen by his fellow kayaker 1.5 hours previously. The latter had paddled to safety and contacted the Coastguard on his return to Mousehole.

Penlee’s B class Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat the Mollie and Ivor Dent was launched under Helm Will Treneer and a crew of two RNLI volunteers. On arrival the casualty, with minor injuries, was found ashore and with the Coastguard Helicopter already at the scene. The lifeboat remained until the casualty was airlifted away, leaving the kayak high and dry awaiting recovery by the owner.

Penzance Coastguard Rescue Team was also present covering the clifftop.

Will and his team returned to Newlyn, in conditions that were gusting to 30 knots in light rain, where the lifeboat was prepared for the next call.

The RNLI says:
Always carry a means of calling for help on your person. You must be able to reach it easily in an emergency. Consider taking a mobile phone with the SafeTrx app.
Always check the weather forecast and tide times. Don’t get caught out by the conditions.
Tell someone else where you’re going and when you’ll be back. They can raise the alarm with the coastguard by calling 999 or 112 if you are overdue.

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 further information, please contact:

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

Kyle Reed, 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.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

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.

About the author

Philip Monckton
Lifeboat Press Officer, Penlee Lifeboat Station

Categories