9th August 2010

Sennen Cove Lifeboat News

During July the service launches from Sennen Cove continued unabated

The all weather lifeboat City of London III launched  at 2020 hrs on Tuesday 13^th July to assist the large restored steam drifter  Feasible, which was  broken down to the west of the Brisons with seven persons on board.  The Feasible was taken under tow for Newlyn. Whilst running down the western shore towards Lamorna, the drifter`s pump failed and there was concern that she was gradually filling up with water. Consequently, assistance from the Penlee lifeboat was requested and  the convoy was joined by the Penlee all weather lifeboat off Mousehole. The crew of the Feasible had managed to re-start the pump and the ingress of water was under control.  The Feasible entered Newlyn just after midnight under tow by the Sennen Cove lifeboat with the Penlee lifeboat attached to her stern acting as a brake.  With the casualty safely moored at Newlyn, the  City of London III returned to Sennen Cove, and was recovered at low water up the launching slip at 0130 hrs.  We understand that the Feasible was first registered in the early 1900s, possibly 1907, and was used in the evacuation of Dunkirk in 1940.

The  all weather lifeboat  launched again with 7 crew on board at 0120 hrs on Sunday 18^th July to assist in the search for a woman overboard from the racing yacht Buccaneer , some 50 miles northwest of Land's End. St Mary's lifeboat and a rescue helicopter from RMB Chivenor, North Devon, were also tasked.  The Sennen Cove lifeboat was an hour and a half into her passage, about 12 miles from the scene, when a French vessel spotted the woman in the water and the helicopter picked her up and flew her to Treliske Hospital.  We understand that apart from some mild hypothermia and salt water ingestion, the casualty is generally fit and well.  At the time of her rescue she was not wearing a lifejacket but it transpired that she was wearing a lifejacket and a safety line when she went overboard.  She became trapped by the boat and was being pulled along with it with every risk of being pulled under.  She had to release herself by removing her lifejacket, safety line and boots in the hope that she would be spotted by a passing vessel.  This is a remarkable and very fortunate survival after two hours in the sea in darkness.  The City of London III returned to Sennen Cove at 0500 hrs after completing just under an 80 mile round trip.  The weather was overcast with fresh southwesterly winds and a moderate sea.

So far this season we have had three successful lifeboat events.  The sun shone for us in Penberth Gardens on Sunday 11^th July and lots of visitors came along. They sampled our cream teas, spent their money on the stalls, were entertained by Hammered Steel, and walked down to the Cove to watch our Tamar boat on exercise.  We wish to record our thanks to Sir John and Lady Banham for their generosity in opening their beautiful gardens for us , and enabling us to raise £1,183 towards the running of Sennen Cove Lifeboat station.

The sun shone again on Sunday 25^th July - in some cases it shone a little too fiercely !  It was Open Day at the boathouse, and visitors came to look around the boats and talk to the crew.  They were able to witness an exercise launch to rescue two of our "unfortunate" crew stranded in the bay. Money raised in buckets and through the sale of books came to £280 - an enjoyable day for everyone.

Land's End Lifeboat Day on Thursday 29th July proved to be an enjoyable and successful day.  Incorporated as it is in Land's End Air Sea Rescue Day,there was a great deal of entertainment and activities for everyone provided by RNAS Culdrose.  The joint exercise between our lifeboats, a helicopter from Culdrose, and HM Coastguard was, as usual, enthusiastically appreciated.  In addition we were entertained by the Golowan Band and the Helston Tatters Morris Dancers.  Our thanks go to the management and staff at Land's End for their warm welcome and support, enabling us to raise in excess of £1400.

The Lifeboat Shop is enjoying its most successful season ever.  Remember it is never too early to prepare for Christmas by buying your Christmas cards while stocks last.  It is also a good time to purchase the Sennen Cove Lifeboat Station Calendar for 2011 as a celebration of the arrival of our new Tamar class lifeboat.