3rd November 2008

Sennen Cove Lifeboat News

It continues to be a busy time at Sennen Cove Lifeboat Station. There have been 21 “shouts” since the beginning of June, including the ones mentioned below.

The inshore lifeboat, Spirit of the RLC, with 2 crew on board launched at 1048 hrs on Monday morning 13 th October to assist a surfer carried out into Sennen Bay by a rip tide. The body boarder was returned to the Cove by the lifeboat, exhausted but otherwise none the worse for his experience. The weather was fine with a light westerly breeze and a 4ft swell.

The all weather lifeboat, Norman Salvesen, launched, with 7 crew on board, at 1253 hrs on Saturday 18 th October to go to the assistance of the yacht, Colette of Yealm, with 4 persons on board. She was unable to make headway against the tide because of a fouled propeller some 2 miles north west of Pendeen. One person on board was suffering from sea sickness. The lifeboat arrived on scene at 1313 hrs and took the yacht in tow, initially towards Sennen Cove where the inshore lifeboat, Spirit of the RLC, with 2 crew on board, met up and took the sea-sick person and another person off the yacht and conveyed them to the Cove. The tow then continued to Newlyn, arriving at approximately 1700 hrs, and the lifeboat returned to Sennen Cove. The weather was fine with a south westerly breeze force 3.

The inshore lifeboat launched, with 3 crew on board, on Monday morning 27 th October at 1050 hrs to assist two children reported to be in trouble in the surf off Sennen Beach . The lifeboat was quickly on scene and recovered a girl and a man who had entered the water to assist her. These two casualties were landed at the lifeboat station and the lifeboat returned to the scene as there was concern for the safety of a second man who had entered the water to help. The second child had made his way safely back to the beach. At 1116 hrs the second man was confirmed ashore safe and well by the Land’s End Cliff Rescue Team, and the ILB returned to station. There were squally showers, with a north westerly wind force 4-5, and a moderate swell and rip current off the beach.

We have come, once again, to the end of another fundraising season and in spite of the rather inclement summer weather, it has been very successful. This is due, of course, to the hard work of the 22 volunteers in the Fundraising Team and the support they have received from the lifeboat crew, as well as the continuing enthusiasm of the general public. The work of the RNLI and its lifeboats is an important and essential part of the rescue services of the United Kingdom and Ireland . It plays a significant role in the life of the communities of the Far West . The Fundraising Team is very proud to be able to do its part in supporting the station, and has a lot of fun doing it. If anyone is interested in joining the team, please give our Chairman, Marion Simpson, a ring on 871 631. You will find a warm welcome.

The Lifeboat Shop is now closed, and will open again for a few hours each day between Christmas and New Year. The new season for the shop will begin on Good Friday 2009. However, RNLI Christmas Cards and the Sennen Cove Station Calendars are on sale at the Old Success Inn, Sennen Cove, Lamorna Pottery, Shelley’s Hairdressers , St Just, and also at the home of our Souvenir Secretary, Jenny Baxter, 3 Mayon Green Crescent, Sennen, (871 916).

A Happy Christmas to everyone.