Penlee volunteers honoured with RNLI Silver Medal for Gallantry
The last RNLI Silver Medal for Gallantry at Penlee was awarded in 1947
Last updated 15th Oct 2024
The team at Penlee Lifeboat are celebrating after being honoured with the RNLI Silver Medal for Gallantry for rescuing eight people from a yacht in dramatic conditions two miles from the coast.
Hurricane force winds disabled the 40-foot vessel two years ago, which was taking on water.
The crew spent five hours at sea during the rescue operation.
Those who work for the HM Coastguard helicopter based at Newquay were also awarded by the RNLI for their outstanding lifesaving actions in the incident, which happened on Halloween, back in 2022.
The lifeboat was launched at 8.30pm at the time of the incident to try and rescue the eight people on board the yacht, which had been blown towards the shore, in what were 'extremely dangerous', 87-knot winds with six to seven metre high waves.
The casualties, including the skipper, who spoke French but little English, were transferred into a liferaft before finally being able to get on-board the lifeboat.
They then prepared a towline to the boat, but despite initially working to help with its recovery, once again parted and the yacht was again adrift.
At this point, we're told that the lifeboat was rolling heavily, solid waves were breaking regularly on the deck and wind spray was often completely engulfing the upper steering position.
The lifeboat crew on the aft deck were often up to their waists in moving water, and any of these waves had the potential to wash a crew member overboard.
The RNLI team were then one-hand down after one of the volunteers became severely ill.
The line was eventually secured, and the lifeboat began a slow tow to move the vessel further out to sea.
Progress was slow, and the yacht was now taking on water through broken portholes, with the casualties up to their shins in water and some severely sea sick.
It took one hour for the crew of the coastguard helicopter to winch the eight casualty crewmembers to safety in the extreme conditions.
Penlee’s Atlantic 85 class inshore lifeboat was launched to assist with berthing the yacht safely and the all-weather lifeboat returned to her berth at 2.05am.
'I am so proud of them all'
Tom Mansell, RNLI lifesaving lead praised all those involved in the rescue, the lifeboat crew, SAR helicopter crew and the crew of Penlee’s Atlantic 85 who turned out to help dock the casualty vessel. He said: “I have not seen a rescue in these conditions in my time with the RNLI, thank you.”
Janet Madron, chair of Penlee Lifeboat Station said: “I am so proud of the them all, such brave young men and Patch is a great leader and coxswain.”
Dickon Berriman, RNLI Area Lifesaving Manager, said: "We are incredibly proud of Patch and his crew for their bravery and courage in this incredibly difficult rescue.
"The crew spent over five hours at sea in extreme weather conditions close to a dangerous lee shore, and it took very high levels of courage, determination and teamwork to secure a successful outcome.
"Patch made difficult but sound decisions in a highly pressured environment to ensure the safety of the casualties and also his crew, and we’re delighted to see the efforts of he and his crew being recognised by the Institution."
Volunteer Lifeboat Operations Manager at Penlee RNLI, David Pascoe, added: "We are all extremely proud of our lifeboat crew for their incredibly brave actions that night.
"The RNLI does not give out awards for gallantry lightly and to receive these is a great privilege both for the individuals and the lifeboat station."
'We never take for granted their commitment'
Claire Hughes, Director of HM Coastguard, said: “We never take for granted the commitment shown by all those who respond in maritime emergencies.
"Our crews, coastguards and friends in the RNLI are on standby 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to answer distress calls. The courage shown by all who took part in this challenging rescue is a reminder of how much we owe to people like this.
"This award is very much deserved and I am delighted that the work of the Newquay helicopter crew on that night, together with the RNLI is being honoured in this way.”
The last RNLI Silver Medal for Gallantry at Penlee was awarded in 1947 to Coxswain Edwin Madron, when he and his crew launched in a south-westerly gale and rough seas to rescue eight casualties from an obsolete battleship Warspite, which was being towed to a ship breakers yard.