Heroic Joint Rescue by RNLI Penlee and Sennen Saves Sailor in Distress

In the early hours of Sunday, 17 March 2024, a single-handed yachtsman found himself in perilous waters 20 miles northwest of the Longships Lighthouse.

Facing rigging failure that left him unable to control his yacht, a swift and coordinated rescue effort was set in motion by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) teams from Penlee and Sennen Cove.

Responding to the call from Falmouth Coastguards at 5:20 am, the Penlee Lifeboat Station dispatched its all-weather Severn Class Lifeboat, the Volunteer Spirit. The temporary replacement vessel, helmed by coxswain Patch and mechanic Tony along with five dedicated volunteers, rushed to assist in the rescue operation already underway by their colleagues at Sennen Cove Lifeboat Station.

Earlier, at 1:40 am, Sennen Cove had launched its Tamar class all-weather lifeboat, City of London III. Under the guidance of Coxswain Ollie and his volunteer crew, they managed to locate the distressed yacht, securing a tow to head towards Newlyn at a cautious speed of 5 knots.

A crucial handover occurred two miles north of the Longships Lighthouse, where Penlee Lifeboat took over the tow from Sennen Cove Lifeboat at 7:00 am. Despite facing challenges that required re-connecting the tow line twice, the Penlee team ensured the yacht and its skipper were brought safely to Newlyn by 11:00 am, readying the lifeboat for its next service.

The sailor, grateful for the life-saving intervention, expressed his appreciation towards both lifeboat crews and Falmouth Coastguard. His relief was celebrated with a simple yet comforting gesture – enjoying a sausage sandwich and coffee offered by the RNLI at the Penlee Lifeboat Station.

Later that day, Penlee Lifeboat Station was once again called into action. At 4:00 pm, they received a tasking request from Falmouth Coastguard to assist a surfer reported to be in difficulties near Porthleven. Fortunately, in this instance, the individual reached shore safely before the launch of Penlee’s B class Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat, the Mollie and Ivor Dent.

Penlee RNLI, located in Newlyn, Penzance, Cornwall, continues its longstanding commitment to saving lives at sea with its team of valiant volunteers. Boasting a rich history of over 200 years, the station operates with an all-weather Severn Class Lifeboat and a B class Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat, ready to respond to emergencies along the coastline.