Motorboat Towed to Penzance After Engine Failure Off the Longships Lighthouse

Two people found themselves anchored in one of Cornwall’s busiest stretches of water this week after their motorboat’s engine gave up near the Longships Lighthouse, prompting a rescue that pulled in volunteers from two separate lifeboat stations.

Sennen crew first on scene

HM Coastguard Falmouth tasked the Sennen Lifeboat ‘City of London III’ to the small motor vessel near the Longships. Coxswain Nick Hichens and five RNLI volunteers found the boat anchored with a failed engine.

After assessing the situation, and weighing up the vessel’s position as a navigational hazard near shipping lanes alongside the safety of its crew, they decided to tow it to the nearest safe harbour at Newlyn or Penzance.

Then a second call came in. ‘City of London III’ was tasked to a yacht WSW of Wolf Rock.

Penlee called in to finish the job

With Sennen RNLI needing an urgent getaway, Penlee RNLI was tasked to support at 4pm. Penlee’s ‘Mollie & Ivor Dent’, under Helm James Roberts and two RNLI volunteers, launched immediately and rendezvoused with Sennen RNLI to complete the tow into Penzance.

The small motorboat had two people on board and carried all the necessary safety equipment. The only thing that let them down was the engine.

RNLI safety advice

The RNLI is reminding boat users to:

• Always wear an appropriate lifejacket or buoyancy aid when on deck. If you use a dinghy or tender to access your boat, make sure you always wear your lifejacket.
• Always carry a means of calling for help and ensure everyone onboard knows how to use it. Consider an additional method like the SafeTrx app, which lets you plan your voyage, alert the coastguard if you are overdue, and register your vessel with the coastguard.
• Always wear a kill cord if fitted, and carry a spare.
• Always check the forecast and tide times, and drive your boat at a speed appropriate to the conditions.
• Tell someone 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.
• Keep your engine well maintained, carry adequate tools and spares, and make sure you have enough fuel.