RNLI Penlee’s all-weather Severn Class Lifeboat, the Ivan Ellen, was tasked by Falmouth Coastguards at 6:30am on Saturday, September 28 to assist a 47 foot sailing ketch six miles south of Porthcurno.

The Ivan Ellen under command of Coxswain Amy Smith, Mechanic Tony Rendle and a crew of RNLI volunteers made best speed to the casualty which had suffered complete steering failure.

A risk assessment was undertaken by the coxswain and considering the casualty had no means of steering and gales were forecast, it was decided to tow the vessel to the nearest safe port of Newlyn.

The lifeboat arrived in Newlyn at 9:30am the same day, where the casualty was safely moored pending repairs and the lifeboat prepared for the next shout.