Cornwall RNLI volunteers endured a gruelling nine-hour rescue operation amidst treacherous conditions yesterday (Thursday).

A call for assistance from HM Coastguard Falmouth at 10.51 pm triggered the nine-hour rescue operation for the volunteer crew of Sennen RNLI.

 The Tamar class all-weather lifeboat ‘The City of London III’ launched at 11.03pm, carrying a crew of six volunteers under the command of Duty Coxswain Kirstan Gorvin.

Initial reports indicated a distressed yacht with two people on board, approximately three and a half miles northwest of Pendeen Lighthouse. However, the lifeboat’s radar and VHF Direction Finder located the vessel ten miles north of Pendeen, after a lengthy search.

Arriving on the scene at 12.15am, the lifeboat’s crew assessed the situation and determined a tow to the nearest safe harbour was the safest option.

Battling rough seas and winds gusting up to 60 mph, the lifeboat crew faced significant challenges attaching and maintaining the towline, which parted twice during the long journey.

Despite these setbacks, the RNLI volunteers and the casualty vessel finally reached Newlyn Harbour at 7.03am this morning (Friday), securing the yacht alongside the north quay.

The lifeboat then returned to Sennen Cove, was recovered at 8.10am, and made ready for its next call to duty.