Azores yacht with steering failure towed into Newlyn by Penlee RNLI

Penlee RNLI’s volunteer crews launched twice on 22 June, first to a person in difficulty at Porthleven and then to a yacht drifting off Newlyn after ten days at sea.

One call was over almost before it began. The other kept the crew out past ten at night, towing a 47ft yacht the last few miles into harbour.

A short call at Porthleven

At 15:20 on 22 June 2026, Falmouth Coastguard tasked the Penlee Inshore Lifeboat ‘Mollie & Ivor Dent’ to locate and assist a person in distress at the entrance to Porthleven harbour.

The lifeboat launched in a SE 4-5 under Helmsman Will Treneer, with three RNLI volunteers aboard. As the crew got underway, Falmouth Coastguard told them the person had safely returned to shore. The lifeboat was stood down.

A yacht in trouble off Newlyn

Later that day, at the same request from Falmouth Coastguard, the Penlee All Weather Lifeboat ‘Ivan Ellen’ was tasked to a 47ft yacht with four people on board, 8 miles south west of Newlyn.

The yacht had been at sea for ten days after leaving the Azores the previous Saturday. It had developed steering and propulsion problems.

Under Coxswain Patch Harvey, with six RNLI volunteers, the Penlee Lifeboat launched in an ENE 3-4 and arrived on scene shortly after 22:00.

“We carefully assessed whether establishing a tow was the most appropriate course of action for rescuing a casualty in distress,” Patch Harvey said. “In the absence of a more suitable vessel and considering the risks associated with the vessel’s condition and its crew, it was determined that towing was the best course of action for all involved. Therefore, the decision was made to tow the yacht to Newlyn Harbour.”

The tow line was connected at 22:15. One hour and thirty minutes later the yacht was towed safely into Newlyn Harbour, and the ‘Ivan Ellen’ was prepared for its next service.

📷Penlee Lifeboat leaving harbour - Credit:: RNLI