Inside Penlee Lifeboat Station: what VIP guests saw in Newlyn

Most people only see a lifeboat as it heads out of the harbour at speed. On Wednesday a small group in Newlyn got to see what happens before that.

Penlee Lifeboat Station opened its doors on 30 September for a behind-the-scenes visit as part of the RNLI‘s programme of VIP station visits.

Several hours on station

The guests spent several hours at the station and heard about some of the heroic rescues Penlee’s crews have carried out over the years.

They were hosted by Visits Team members Rod James and Colin Lawry.

Aboard the Ivan Ellen

The visit started with Penlee’s all-weather Severn Class lifeboat, the ‘Ivan Ellen’. After looking round her, the guests spoke with station mechanic Andrew ‘Woody’ Wood.

Then it was back to the boathouse for tea and biscuits and a talk with Coxswain Patch Harvey.

One more date this year

These events run at several RNLI stations. Penlee has one more date left this year, on Wednesday 28 October.

Tickets are still available and can be booked through the Penlee Lifeboat VIP Station Tour Experience page.

📷Guests on the VIP visit at Penlee Lifeboat Station, Newlyn. Credit: Colin Lawry