5th June 2008

Sennen Cove Lifeboat News

The month of May saw the Station involved in a number of service calls.

On Sunday night 11 th May, the all weather lifeboat Norman Salvesen launched, with seven crew on board, at 2330 hrs to go to the assistance of the large crabber Pen Glas. She had become disabled with a fouled propeller to the north of the Sevenstones, some 17 miles from Sennen Cove. She had a crew of six. The lifeboat reached the crabber just before 0100 hrs and a tow was established. The Pen Glas was towed the 30 odd miles to Newlyn Harbour , arriving at 0530 hrs. The lifeboat returned to Sennen Cove and was recovered up the long slip at 0630 hrs. The weather was fine with a calm sea and very light winds.

On Saturday morning 17 th May at 0625 hrs, the all weather lifeboat, Norman Salvesen, launched, with 6 crew on board, to go to the assistance of the Irish cabin cruiser, Driftwood, which had broken down near the Carn Base Buoy, to the south of the Longships lighthouse. There were three persons on board. The stricken cruiser was towed to Newlyn harbour, and the lifeboat returned to Sennen Cove where she was recovered up the long slip at 1015 hrs.The weather was overcast and showery, with light north easterly winds and a slight sea.

On Thursday 29 th May at 1550 hrs, the all weather lifeboat, Norman Salvesen, launched, with 6 crew on board, to go to the assistance of the large Newlyn fishing vessel, Girl Patricia. She had four persons on board and was taking water in position some 27 miles north west of Sennen Cove Another fishing vessel was standing by the Girl Patricia , and a helicopter Rescue 193 from RNAS Culdrose was proceeding to the scene with a salvage pump. At approximately 1620 hrs word came over the radio that the Girl Patricia had sunk and that the crew had been rescued by the helicopter. The lifeboat was released from duty and returned to Sennen Cove at 1715 hrs. She was recovered up the launch slipway. The weather was fine with an easterly breeze and a slight sea.

The RNLI National Flag Day will be held in Sennen Cove on Sunday 27 th July. This is an opportunity for visitors to look round the boats and talk to the crew. The boathouse will be open from 12 noon , and a launch will take place mid-afternoon, operational requirements permitting. The Lifeboat Shop will, of course, be open, and, if the weather is kind, volunteers will be manning books and bric-a-brac stalls in the courtyard.

Land’s End Lifeboat Day will be held this year on Thursday 31 st July. There will be a number of stalls, cakes, RNLI souvenirs, books, bric-a-brac, and a Lucky Dip in the children’s section. Members of the Hayle Branch will also be bringing their popular tombola stall. It is going to be an exciting day. RNAS Culdrose is providing a Search and Rescue helicopter which will land on site during the morning, giving an opportunity for people to look around it. At approximately 2.00pm the helicopter will join with the Sennen Cove all weather lifeboat Norman Salvesen, and the Land’s End Cliff Rescue Team, operational requirements permitting, to demonstrate the techniques of rescuing a casualty. The helicopter will land again. Later in the afternoon, a group of Wing Walkers from Land’s End Airport will come along and perform for us. We hope also to witness a fly-past of aircraft returning home from Culdrose Air Day. From early morning, RNAS Culdrose is also providing a demonstration trailer and a fire tender. In between times, further entertainment will be provided by the Helston Tatters Morris Dancers and the Golowan Band. Something that the children will be pleased about is that at some point during the day we hope to have a visit from Bilbo, the Newfoundland dog. Come along, enjoy a fascinating day, support the work of the RNLI, and stay for the fireworks in the evening.

All money raised at both these events, as with all our efforts this year, will go to the fund for our new Tamar class lifeboat which will be arriving in autumn 2009.