Penlee RNLI Tow Stricken Fishing Boat into Newlyn Harbour

Just after midday on Friday, three people were sat on a fishing boat with no working engine, drifting in the sea west of Newlyn. Then the lifeboat arrived.

Engine failure off Newlyn

Falmouth Coastguards tasked Penlee RNLI just after 12 noon on 29th May 2026 to assist a broken down fishing vessel west of Newlyn after its engine failed.

The inshore lifeboat ‘Mollie and Ivor Dent’ launched immediately under Helm Woody Wood, with a crew of RNLI volunteers on board. They found the vessel drifting helplessly.

Woody carried out a risk assessment and decided the safest course of action was to tow the boat and its three crew into Newlyn harbour.

Two more shouts at Praa Sands

Penlee RNLI also responded to two other shouts this week, both involving paddle boarders at Praa Sands. Both turned out to be false alarms with good intent.

The station said the public were correct to call the Coastguard, as the same call in different circumstances could have saved a life.

Anyone who sees someone in danger in the water is asked to dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.