The lifeboat was diverted from the exercise to the real 999 emergency

Penlee’s all-weather lifeboat ‘Ivan Ellen’ was called to a real emergency this morning – just as they were in the middle of a training exercise. According to the RNLI, the crew were diverted from an exercise at 11.55pm on Saturday morning after Falmouth Coastguard received a 999 call.

They said: “A member of the public noticed a person in a 14ft boat in difficulty and signaling for help south of Penzance Harbor and rightly reported this to Falmouth Coastguard.

“The Penlee Lifeboat located the vessel one mile south of Penzance, drifting southerly in a moderate northerly wind, the lifeboat with seven crew on board towed the vessel to the entrance to Penzance Harbour.

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“As the water was low, the Y-boat was launched from the Severn-class lifeboat to tow the vessel into port. Boat Y was recovered, Ivan Ellen returned to Newlyn and went into service at 1pm.

“Remember if you see anyone in distress on the water ring 999 and speak to the Coastguard.”

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