Penlee RNLI Launches for First Call Out of 2026

Penlee RNLI launched its lifeboat in the early hours of Saturday morning for its first shout of 2026, following a call from Falmouth Coastguard.

Early morning launch

Penlee RNLI were paged just before 6am on 1st February 2026 to assist St Mary’s RNLI and a casualty that had been under tow overnight.

Penlee’s all weather lifeboat Ivan Ellen launched at 6.15am under the command of Coxswain James Roberts, with a crew of RNLI volunteers onboard. The lifeboat arrived on scene at around 7.30am, approximately 20 nautical miles due south of Newlyn.

Taking over the tow

St Mary’s lifeboat The Whiteheads had been towing the casualty throughout the night. Once the two lifeboats rendezvoused, The Whiteheads dropped the tow for Penlee to take over. After recovering their own tow rope, Ivan Ellen moved in and passed its tow rope to the casualty.

Return to Newlyn

With the tow secure, Penlee headed north towards Newlyn, arriving back in harbour at around 11.30am.

Conditions at sea saw north westerly winds at force 3 to 4 initially, increasing to force 6 by the time the lifeboat returned to the bay. A fair swell was also running, with wave heights around three metres.

The call out marked Penlee RNLI’s first shout of 2026.

📷File pic Coxswain James Roberts - Credit: RNLI/Philip Monckton