RNLI Penlee Responds to Two Weekend Callouts

RNLI Penlee Lifeboat Station was called out twice over the weekend after being tasked by Falmouth Coastguard to separate incidents involving a kite surfer and a yacht.

Saturday Evening Callout

Just after 7pm on Saturday 16th August 2025, the lifeboat ‘Ivan Ellen’ launched to assist a kite surfer who appeared to be having problems with the easterly wind near St. Michael’s Mount.

The person was picked up by relief coxswain Neville Pittman and a crew of six RNLI volunteers, before being dropped off at St. Michael’s Mount. The individual was managing the conditions but “accepted the advice from Coxswain Pittman.”

Sunday Morning Escort

The next morning, just before 8am on Sunday 17th August, the crew were tasked again to help a yacht with damaged rigging two miles south-east of The Lizard.

Although the incident fell within Lizard Lifeboat’s area, Penlee were called because the yacht could only make headway downwind. Neville Pittman and his crew of six RNLI volunteers pushed into the easterly wind to reach the vessel.

On arrival, the yacht was found to be making progress, and the situation was downgraded from an assist to an escort. The lifeboat accompanied the yacht safely back to Newlyn.