The Lizard RNLI lifeboat saves a 24ft boat from sinking

The Lizard volunteer lifeboat crew, returning to station after taking part in a search exercise with Penlee lifeboat and Falmouth Coastguard, were diverted to help a lone fisherman whose boat was taking in water.

Just after midday, the 24ft fishing boat Sea Foam from Coverack, which was fishing 1.5 miles west of Mullion Island when the engine started to falter. On lifting the cover the single-handed fisherman found the engine compartment was full of water. He called Falmouth Coastguard and requested assistance, The Lizard all-weather lifeboat Rose with six crew onboard was diverted to go to his assistance.

On arrival on scene, two lifeboat crew members, second mechanic Johnny Bray and volunteer Dr Robert Edgerley, were put on board the casualty with a salvage pump. The pump was extremely effective and once all the seawater had been removed, a towline was set up and the vessel was towed to Porthleven, so repairs could be carried out.

At the entrance to Porthleven Harbour, The Lizard lifeboat handed over the tow to the Penlee RNLI Inshore Lifeboat, which was able to take the Sea Foam in to the harbour.

The Penlee Inshore lifeboat then ferried the two Lizard lifeboat crew members and the salvage pump back to the all-weather lifeboat and both lifeboats returned to their respective stations.

Second mechanic Johnny Bray said ‘It was surprising how much water was already in the engine compartment by the time we arrived; the pump had to work hard to remove it but was certainly very effective. The boat owner was very grateful for our assistance. I think he had quite a shock when he looked in and saw all the water’.

The lifeboat returned to station at 2:30pm.

The crew were: Coxswain Andrew Putt, second mechanic Johnny Bray and volunteer crew members Dr Robert Edgerley, Dave Stevens, Marcus Atkinson and Nick Hampshire.

The Lizard lifeboat launching to go on exercise.

The casualty and Penlee lifeboat off Porthleven on Sunday

The Lizard lifeboat being recovered at the station after this incident.

The Lizard RNLI lifeboat carries out its first rescue from the new station

The Lizard’s Tamar class all-weather lifeboat RNLB Rose launched last night to go to the aid of a Newlyn based fishing vessel.

The 18 metre Newlyn crabber, Sparkling Line, with 6 persons onboard, suffered complete engine failure approximately 21 nautical miles south of Lizard Point.

RNLB Rose launched just before 9pm and passed a towline to the fishing vessel at 10:20pm. The boat was then towed toward Newlyn. The Penlee RNLI lifeboat was later requested to launch and take over the tow to allow The Lizard lifeboat to return to station for a safe recovery due to the deteriorating weather conditions. Penlee lifeboat took over the tow at 2am, reaching the safety of Newlyn Harbour at 4.05am. The Lizard lifeboat arrived back at the station at 2:45am.

The Lizard lifeboat crew were: Staff Coxswain Martin Phillips, station mechanic Dan Atkinson and volunteer crew members Darren Thirlaway, Elsa Chance, John Hill, Adam Weston and Marcus Atkinson.

The Lizard Lifeboat Operations Manager Ned Nuzum said ‘This was a fantastic response from the crew and shore crew. Although we have carried out a number of practice launches over the past couple of weeks, it is good to get the first emergency under our belt and the launch was executed really well with the boat launching safely and efficiently. This was down to excellent teamwork’.

The Lizard RNLI lifeboat assists 32ft yacht

The Lizard lifeboat launched yesterday morning, to a report of a 32ft yacht with its propeller tangled in a lobster pot off Bass Point, the Lizard Cornwall.

The 32ft trimaran ‘Treskille’ with 1person onboard was on passage from Falmouth to Penzance when it became snagged on a lobster pot approximately 1 mile south of Bass Point.

The Lizard Lifeboat Operations Manager Ned Nuzum was contacted by Falmouth Coastguard and The Lizard Tamar class all-weather lifeboat Rose was launched from her temporary mooring off Cadgwith just after10:30am.

The Lizard lifeboat daughter boat with 3 crew members aboard was launched from the Tamar to assist the lone sailor. The obstruction was quickly removed from the yachts propeller and after her steering gear was confirmed to be ok she carried on her passage to Penzance.

Lifeboat Operations Manager Ned Nuzum said ‘Lobster pots can be a bit of a problem especially for lone sailors. The marker buoys can sit quite low in the water especially on high tides. The Tamar’s Y boat is proving its worth in instances like this, as it enables our crew to get close in alongside a small craft’.

The Lizard Lifeboat returned to her mooring just before midday. The lifeboat crew were coxswain Andrew Putt, mechanic Dan Atkinson, 2nd Mechanic Johnny Bray and volunteer crew members Brett Jose, Danny Allerton, Dave Stevens and Nick Hampshire.

Photo is of The Lizard Tamar class all-weather lifeboat taken recently with the Y boat alongside off Cadgwith. Photo Ned Nuzum

The Lizard RNLI lifeboat launched to assist 2 body boarders in difficulties

The Lizard lifeboat was requested to launch just after 8:30pm on Saturday evening, 3 September to a report of a 2 body boarders in difficulties off Poldhu beach, Cornwall.

The 2 people aged 18 and 21 years had arrived earlier at the start of their holiday. At approximately 7pm they had decided to go body boarding off Poldhu beach, just to the northwest of Mullion Cove. Both body boarders got caught in a rip current which washed them 200 yards offshore. A man walking his dog heard their cries for help and raised the alarm.

Falmouth Coastguard tasked The Lizard RNLI lifeboat, Coastguard rescue teams from Mullion and Porthoustock and a Search and Rescue Helicopter from RNAS Culdrose to the scene.

The helicopter quickly spotted the 2 casualties and both were winched from the water and airlifted to RCH Treliske suffering with suspected hypothermia after spending almost 2 hours in the water.

The Lizard lifeboat was stood down from the scene and returned to her temporary mooring off Cadgwith just after 10pm.

Missing woman found safe and well

The Lizard RNLI lifeboat RNLB Rose was launched last night to assist in a search for a missing woman.

The 34 year old woman had been staying at a camp site near to Kennack Sands and was reported missing by her family when she failed to turn up at lunchtime. A search was commenced by the Police who later requested the assistance of Falmouth Coastguard.

The Lizard lifeboat crew was paged just before 7:30pm and the lifeboat was requested to start a coastline search from its temporary mooring off Cadgwith eastwards to Black Head.

The Lizards new Tamar class lifeboat RNLB Rose is fitted with a small daughter boat, a ‘Y’ class inflatable; this was launched and manned by crew members Brett Jose, helmsman, and Steve Tattersall. They carried out a close inshore search of the little inlets and coves, while the all-weather lifeboat was able to search the coast with a good view of the cliff face and water.

An Air Sea Rescue helicopter from RNAS Culdrose and 2 Coastguard Rescue teams from Porthoustock and Mullion also took part in the search. The lady was later located safe and well ashore at Coverack.

The lifeboat crew were Coxswain Andrew Putt, Mechanic Dan Atkinson, 2nd Mechanic Johnny Bray, Brett Jose, Steve Tattersall, Adam Weston and David Stevens.

The lifeboat returned to her mooring at 8:30pm.

To find out more about The Lizard lifeboat station and to see the latest views from the RNLI webcam, visit the station website at www.thelizardlifeboat.org.uk

Photo is of RNLB Rose when she took part in a rescue demonstration off Lizard Point on Sunday 21 August with an Air Sea Rescue helicopter from RNAS Culdrose. Please credit Jack Lancaster/RNLI

The Lizard RNLI lifeboat rescues yacht with engine fire

The Lizard lifeboat launched in the early hours of this morning, to a report of a 31ft yacht in difficulties off Lizard Point, Cornwall.

The yacht ‘Valkyrie’ with 3 people on board was on passage from Flushing, Falmouth to the Isles of Scilly when it suffered a fire in its engine room. The yachts crew contacted Falmouth Coastguard for assistance.

The Lizard Lifeboat launching authority John Harris was contacted and The Lizard Tamar class relief all-weather lifeboat was launched from her temporary mooring off Cadgwith just after 4am. The lifeboat carried out a search for the yacht, which was located approximately 2 mile south of Lizard Point, the fire had been extinguished and a tow line was passed.

The yacht and her crew were then towed back to their mooring off Flushing, slightly shaken by their experience but with no injuries.

Coxswain Andrew Putt said ‘This was unfortunate incident, the yachts crew were well prepared for their passage, but the unexpected happened. The fire is thought to be due to an engine fault. Thankfully no-one was injured’.

The Lizard Lifeboat returned to her mooring just before 9am. The lifeboat crew were Coxswain Andrew Putt, 2nd Mechanic Johnny Bray, Mechanic Dan Atkinson, Darren Thirlaway, Danny Allerton, Robert Edgerley and it was the first callout for new crew member Nicholas Hampshire.

Photo: Bernice Putt/RNLI

The Lizard RNLI Lifeboat was launched on service shortly after 1am on Saturday 6th August to go to the aid of a 40' yacht "Subra" which had lost all engine power with five persons on board.

An approximate position of 1.5nm south of Black Head was given and the lifeboat was tasked from her temporary moorings at Cadgwith Cove under the command of relief Coxswain Martin Jones.

The yacht was located by the lifeboat 3.5nm east of Cadgwith Cove and upon arrival the lifeboat crew quickly secured a tow and proceeded to take the yacht to Falmouth. Weather conditions were described as extremely calm and a routine passage was made to Port Pendennis Marina.

Having safely taken the yacht into Falmouth the lifeboat refueled and was back on the moorings at Cadgwith ready for service again at 05.30am.

The Lizard Lifeboat crew were, relief Coxswain Martin Jones from Rhyl Lifeboat Station, Mechanic Dan Atkinson, Second Mechanic Johnny Bray and volunteer crew members Steve Tattersall, Adam Weston, Marcus Atkinson, Josh Legge and Simon Fayers.

(Photograph shows The Lizard Lifeboat after her return to Cadgwith on the morning of Saturday 6th August)

Lyndsay Bray
Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer
The Lizard Lifeboat

The Lizard Lifeboat was launched on service from her moorings at Cadgwith on Wednesday 3rd August to go to the aid of two people on kayaks who had got into difficulty off Lizard Point. Shortly after 11am.

The Bass Point NCI alerted the coastguard that two kayakers were in trouble approximately half a mile due east of Bass Point. Rescue 193 from Culdrose were already in the area and were tasked to investigate, however the coastguard informed Relief Coxswain Terry George that the helicopter didn't wish to attempt to recover the causalities to the aircraft as they feared that the downdraft might cause one or both of the kayakers to fall into the water. Instead they hovered nearby to await the arrival of the Lifeboat. The Lifeboat was very quick to arrive on scene and the crew promptly recovered both kayakers from the sea and took them safely back to Cadgwith Cove.

The Lizard Lifeboat crew were Relief Coxswain Terry George, Mechanic Dan Atkinson. Second Mechanic Johnny Bray and volunteer crew members Darren Thirlaway, Adam Weston, Josh Legge, Simon Fayers and Marcus Atkinson.

(Photograph courtesy of Stephen Holley)

Lyndsay Bray
Deputy Lifeboat Press officer
The Lizard Lifeboat

Lone sailor has lucky escape off Lizard Point

A lone sailor onboard the 23 foot yacht ‘Ragamuffin’ had a very lucky escape during the early hours of the morning of Sunday 24 July.

The gentleman was on passage from Mevagissey to the Isles of Scilly when his yacht suffered problems with the rigging and engine and with no wind was unable to sail. The yachtsman’s problem was also compounded when he was unable to locate his reading glasses and therefore couldn’t read his charts.

The sailor contacted Falmouth Coastguard requesting assistance; he believed his position to be off St Mawes. The coastguard was able to use their VHF direction finding equipment and quickly ascertained the yacht was close to the rocks off Lizard Point.

The Launching Authority for The Lizard RNLI Lifeboat John Harris was contacted just after midnight and The Lizard Tamar class all-weather lifeboat, RNLB Rose, was launched immediately from her temporary mooring off Cadgwith.

The Lifeboat located the yacht approximately .5 of a mile offshore from the point. The ‘Y’ class inflatable boat was deployed from RNLB Rose with 2 crew members, helmsman Adam Weston and crew member Perran Pryor, who was placed aboard ‘Ragamuffin’, where he set up a tow line.

The yacht was then towed to Pendennis Marina, Falmouth. The Lizard lifeboat returned to her mooring just before 6am.

The Lizard lifeboat crew were Coxswain Andrew Putt, Mechanic Dan Atkinson and volunteer crew members Adam Weston, Perran Pryor, teve Tattersall, Marcus Atkinson and Nick Tattersall.

The Lizard RNLI lifeboat David Robinson tows yacht to safety

RNLB David Robinson was launched to a 30ft yacht with engine trouble and becalmed 7 miles south-east of Black Head..

The 30ft yacht ‘Khamis’ with 2 people onboard was on passage from L’abewrach, France to St Mawes when it suffered a major oil leak in the engine and with light airs was unable to sail to Falmouth. The crew contacted Falmouth Coastguard who requested The Lizard all-weather lifeboat launch to the yachts assistance.

The Tyne class all-weather lifeboat David Robinson launched from its temporary mooring off Cadgwith just before 8pm last night. The yacht was located 10 miles east of Cagwith. Lifeboat Mechanic Dan Atkinson was placed aboard the yacht and set up a tow line. The yacht was then towed to Pendennis Marina, Falmouth.

The Lizard lifeboat returned to her mooring just after midnight. The lifeboat crew were Coxswain Andrew Putt, Mechanic Dan Atkinson, and volunteer crew members 2nd Coxswain Louis Mitchell, Assistant Mechanic Johnnie Bray, Dr Robert Edgerley, Danny Allerton and Marcus Atkinson.

The Lizard RNLI lifeboat launches to a drifting dinghy

The Lizard lifeboat was launched this morning to a report of a 5 metre skiff adrift off Predannack Head, Mullion.

The small boat was sighted drifting approximately 3 miles offshore, by a member of the public and reported to Falmouth Coastguard. The Lizard lifeboat was immediately tasked from its temporary mooring off Cadgwith, as it was difficult to ascertain whether there was anyone on board the craft.

The Fishery Protection Vessel St Piran and a Search and Rescue Helicopter from RNAS Culdrose also assisted. The helicopter located the dinghy and hovered overhead until the arrival of the lifeboat.

The lifeboat located an empty 2 metre dinghy and towed it back to Cadgwith. It is thought the small tender had broken free whilst being towed along the coast.

Author: Bernice Putt, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer