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RNLI Penlee assists stricken yacht

Lifeboats News Release

Falmouth Coastguard tasked RNLI Penlee’s all-weather lifeboat the Ivan Ellen around 9pm on 27 July 2025 to assist a 36ft yacht with one person onboard 3.6 miles SE of Newlyn and unable to make headway with engine failure and light winds.

Pic shows Penlee Lifeboat under way

RNLI/Philip Monckton

File pic Penlee Lifeboat
The Penlee Lifeboat under the command of Coxswain Patch Harvey with a crew of RNLI volunteers proceeded towards the position of the yacht. Having conducted a risk assessment Patch made the decision to tow the vessel to the nearest safe harbour, Newlyn, and one crewman was put onboard to give assistance.

The tow line was passed over and a steady tow at six knots was commenced with the yacht towed safely to a berth in Newlyn Harbour arriving just after 10pm.

The yacht owner reported that he was hoping that the engine would be repaired shortly and thanked the crew.

Penlee Lifeboat was made ready for the next service at 10:30pm.


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].


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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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