Sennen Cove RNLI volunteers launch twice on Bank Holiday Saturday
One man was rescued, but the other call was determined to be a false alarm with good intent
Last updated 30th Aug 2021
RNLI volunteers at Sennen Cove Lifeboat Station were dispatched twice yesterday, during Bank Holiday Saturday (28th August 2021).
In the first call-out, during the morning, one man was brought to shore.
The second call-out, during the evening, was determined to be a false alarm, but with good intent.
First call-out: launch to assist small RIB
The Sennen Cove all-weather lifeboat City of London III launched following a request from HM Coastguard Falmouth after receiving a call help from small Rib with one person on board, one mile south of Longships Lighthouse.
The RNLI volunteer crew’s pagers activated at 10.53am and the lifeboat quickly launched with five crew, under the command of Coxswain Ollie George.
The Lifeboat arrived with the casualty vessel at 10.10am. The gentleman was fully equipped with all the essential safety aids but had unfortunately suffered from engine failure. By carrying a means to call for help he was able to contact the coastguard who made appropriate arrangements for his safe recovery.
The gentleman was transferred to the safety of the lifeboat and his small Rib taken in tow to Sennen Cove, arriving around 11.50
Once the rib was safely recovered to the harbour beach the City of London III was recovered up the long slip, washed down, refuelled and made ready her next service.
Second call-out: launch to assist in search
The Sennen Cove RNLI volunteers launched for a second time following a request from HM Coastguard Falmouth who had received a 999 call regarding the possibility of persons stranded in a cave at Pendower Cove.
The Lands End Coastguard cliff rescue team had already been tasked and carried out a thorough search of the cliffs from above but with failing light a search from the sea was also required.
The RNLI volunteer crew’s pagers activated at 8.42pm and the all-weather lifeboat City of London III quickly launched, under the command of Coxswain Ollie George followed by the D class inshore lifeboat Amy Brown with Tom Nicholas at the helm.
The Lifeboats arrived at Pendower Cove at 9.00pm and started searching the area for any potential casualties. An extensive search of the caves and coastline was carried out by both lifeboats nobody was found.
Following discussions with all teams HM Coastguard concluded that it was a false alarm with good intent and the lifeboats were stood down to return to station around 9.40pm
Both lifeboats returned to Sennen Cove, arriving around 10.00pm where the ILB Amy Brown was safely recovered to the harbour beach and the ALB City of London III was recovered up the short slip, washed down, refuelled and made ready her next service.