Monday

 

Grey and damp again

 1st March 2026.

At 2235 the crews pagers were set off by the CG at Falmouth to launch to assist a 16m FV with 6 POB which had suffered engine failure 20 nm North of the Islands.

Another FV in the area had offered help but after discussions with the CG they agreed that the weather conditions on scene were deemed too poor to safely attempt any assistance.

Also asked to assist was the bulk carrier Commander-K which was asked if they could provide a lee for the FV to reduce her beam on rolling.

The helicopter from Newquay R924 was also tasked to stay overhead whilst the Lifeboat assisted the vessel.

The Lifeboat arrived on scene at 0015 with the plan to pass the tow line over and make best speed towards the nearest safe haven at Newlyn.

Conditions were rough with a 5m sea running and Force 7-8 southerly winds so the tow was slow and uncomfortable for the crew.

Penlee lifeboat were given the heads up that they will be required to RV with St Mary's and take over the tow at Daybreak.

St Mary's lifeboat then towed the FV down the TSS a distance of some 30nm and to a position North of Wolf Rock meeting Penlee at 0730.

Once the tow was passed over to Penlee St Mary's ALB was stood down and passaged back to St Mary's arriving back on the moorings at 0900.

Crew: Paul Smith , Jimmy Hoddinott , Chris Jenkins , Truan hicks , Andrew Hicks , Ben Jenkins , Olly Glenn. (copied from St Mary's Lifeboat page)

Penlee’s all-weather lifeboat ‘Ivan Ellen’, under the command of Coxswain Patch Harvey and with six RNLI volunteers, slipped the moorings at 5:45am and headed towards the rendezvous point northeast of Wolf Rock. After a long and uncomfortable tow by the St Mary’s lifeboat, their line was dropped at 7:15am, and they returned to the Islands.

Penlee then handed over their towing rope and bridles to the fishing vessel and began towing at 7:30am.

Despite the challenging conditions, both ‘Ivan Ellen’ and the casualty arrived safely in Newlyn Harbour at 11:15am. After more than five hours at sea, the Penlee Lifeboat was refuelled, washed down and prepared for service.

Sea was still quite wild after such a stormy night

Scillonian III setting off on another goods run to Scilly - sadly terrible conditions for photography

Lots of swell out there

Distant shot of the Penlee Lifeboat towing crabber TO30 Michael Edward back to Newlyn

Afternoon walkies and there was still some swell rolling in