Man rescued after shouts of help heard off Penzance promenade
Penlee’s all-weather lifeboat was launched over the weekend
A man has been rescued from the sea after shouts for help were heard off Penzance promenade.
Penlee’s all-weather lifeboat was launched just before nine in the evening, with crews battling strong winds and a three metre swell to search for the man.
He was found struggling to stay afloat by coastguards and was quickly pulled from the water by RNLI volunteers, before being treated for the cold and handed over to paramedics.
In a statement on their Facebook page over the weekend, they said: "Penlee Lifeboat was tasked by Falmouth Coastguards at 8:45pm on 6 December 2025 to a person reportedly in the water shouting for help off Penzance promenade. Considering the weather conditions Penlee’s all-weather Severn Class Lifeboat the 'Ivan Ellen' was launched immediately under the command of coxswain Patch Harvey with a crew of six RNLI volunteers.
"Patch commenced the search launching the Y-boat from Ivan Ellen and then requested further assistance from the B class Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat which would be efficient searching in shallow water.
"The 'Mollie and Ivor Dent' with Will Treneer at the helm and a crew of three RNLI volunteers joined the search in a WSW force 5-6 wind and with a three metre swell which caused problems as the swell bounced off the sea wall.
"Penzance Coastguard Cliff Team were also on scene and located casualty struggling to stay afloat.
"Under the lifeboat flood lights the casualty was found in a poor state and going under. He was recovered by the Yboat helmed by crewman Treeve Perry and quickly taken to the all-weather Lifeboat where he was made comfortable with blankets and the start of the warming process. On return to Newlyn the casualty was carried up to the lifeboat station on a stretcher and warmed until paramedics arrived after which the casualty was handed over to the ambulance service."
Coxswain Patch Harvey said… “Fourteen RNLI volunteers turned out tonight to offer their service. The crews did a great job, they have definitely saved a life tonight.”