Silver Medal Rescue: How Penlee lifeboat crew saved 8 lives in a storm

Monday 31 October 2022. A yacht is taking on water off the coast of Cornwall. Penlee lifeboat crew launch to the rescue. 7m waves. 100mph wind. 8 people in danger. What happens next is the latest in a long history of incredible rescue stories by the RNLI.
Watch as the lifeboat crew involved in the rescue tell the story of how they tackled a dark and stormy night in their mission to save every one. And learn more about the incredible leadership and courage of Coxswain Patch Harvey that resulted in him being awarded the RNLI’s Silver Medal for Gallantry.
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The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, lifeboat crews around the UK and Ireland are ready to launch to help those in need. Whether you're stuck on a sinking ship, cut off by a rapidly rising tide, or in the water and close to drowning, RNLI crew members will drop everything to come to your rescue. The vast majority of RNLI lifeboat crews and station staff are volunteers.
But it’s not just lifeboats. RNLI lifeguards patrol 242 beaches, keeping people safe, providing safety advice and rescuing those in trouble. Education volunteers visit schools and swimming clubs to help teach the next generation how to enjoy the water safely. And volunteer fundraisers and shop workers give up their time to generate vital funds. The RNLI is also working to help communities around the world that are most at risk of drowning.
If you spot someone in trouble in the water, call 999 or 112 and ask for the coastguard.
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The Royal National Lifeboat Institution, a charity registered in England and Wales (209603), Scotland (SC037736), the Republic of Ireland (CHY 2678 and 20003326), the Bailiwick of Jersey (14), the Isle of Man (1308 and 006329F), the Bailiwick of Guernsey and Alderney, of West Quay Road, Poole, Dorset, BH15 1HZ. Clayton Engineering Limited (Registered No. 01274923). R.N.L.I. (Sales) Limited (registration number 2202240) also trading as RNLI Shop. RNLI College Limited (registration number 7705470). All companies are registered in England and Wales with registered offices at West Quay Road, Poole, Dorset BH15 1HZ.

[@caroleminke6116]

Bravest souls of all ✨ all of us should honor & respect that kind of courage as well as selfishness!

[@rnli]

Thank you for your kind words Carole 💙

[@marvindebot3264]

Not only 8 lives saved but the boat made it home with the yacht in tow which is amazing. I've been in rescue and firefighting most of my life and I steadfastly maintain that there is no better service in rescue anywhere in the world than these guys, RNLI, you rock.

[@rnli]

Wow Marvin, thank you so much for your praise - it means a lot from a fellow lifesaver 🧡

[@Fcutdlady]

Remember, too, the Penlee lifeboat crew that gave their lives to rescue those in peril on the sea back in 1981. I live within half a mile of an RNLI lifeboat boathouse here in Dublin Ireland . I've watched the lifeboat going out when i was so glad to be going home. Masses of respect for RNLI people. Even more so as these men (and women) are volunteers .

[@rnli]

Thank you for your kind words and support for our crews. We will never forget them 💙

[@mikeheard4859]

This is why I am leaving a gift in my will to the RNLI they are all stars

[@PhotiniByDesign]

Amazing work folks, so proud of the people I have never met, well done...

[@rnli]

Thanks so much - hopefully you'll never need to meet us 🥰

[@PhotiniByDesign]

@@rnli I am sure when we meet, it will be to organize a fundraiser for the RNLI 🥰

[@rnli]

That sounds great 👍

[@TimoDyer]

Thank God for them and that they came back.

[@rnli]

💙

[@nickpage4333]

Thats what the Lifeboats are for I have never been a crew member but i come from a lifeboat family in Eastbourne so i know the bravery of the crew.A Big Thankyou to the men and women out there God Bless you all.STAY SAFE

[@rnli]

Aww that makes you surrogate family Nick 🥰 Thanks for your good wishes

[@morzee94]

The crew deserve every plaudit they get, amazing! However we should also shout out all the engineers who designed, built and maintained the Severn class from the early 90s to today. What a beast of a boat to be able to handle those seas and tow a yacht to safety.

[@rnli]

Luke, we totally agree. Everyone who contributes, from the supporters who donate to the designers and engineers who build and maintain our kit, is a lifesaver ⚓

[@QHarefield]

And what a different ending that rescue would have had if the Severns were not self-righting!

[@rnli]

Absolutely Luke, our engineers are incredible 💙

[@HelenRowland-j9n]

I have total respect for patch and his team they are so brave stay safe sending you all lots of love and hugs

[@rnli]

Thanks so much for sending love to our amazing volunteers Helen - have some RNLI love in return 🧡💙💛

[@jspoor100]

Heroic men. We salute you all.

[@rnli]

Thank you, Jamie

[@masontheratexterminator544]

Our country is proud of each and every one of you, thank you all.

[@rnli]

We’re so thankful for our wonderful supporters like you! 😊

[@Durka-Durka01]

😂

[@Durka-Durka01]

​@@rnlihow many murderers have you imported this week? Two children died today! Traitors! 🤬

[@RobMedvedev]

No we are not !! Most of the uk is FUMING with the RNLI !! Going out to rescue migrants with our money donations !!!!!! Taking money from people's wills to rescue migrants / fighting age muslim men

[@Chateaulapauze]

Bravo. Well deserved recognition for true bravery and heroism.

[@rnli]

We couldn't agree more Kenneth - not all heroes wear capes 🦸‍♂️🦸‍♀️

[@timgeorge7150]

Love you guys so much.. you’re always in my mind when I go sailing and I do absolutely everything possible not to need to get you out… Direct debit continues ❤

[@rnli]

Thanks for your support, Tim - we couldn't do what we do without kind, generous people like you powering our crews to the rescue 🙏

[@fionastacey9859]

Heroes always. Your names will live forever ❤

[@rnli]

Thank you for your kind words for our crews, Fiona 💙

[@SallyDallyn]

This is what they do - amazing, the history of Penlee makes it even more so - selfless and brave

[@rnli]

Selfless and brave is the perfect description Sally 🧡

[@jix177]

Superb job!

[@rnli]

Thank you for your support 💙

[@Hannahmeowcat]

Well done ❤️

[@rnli]

🙌

[@tugboats79]

When I first looked at this video then I thought that its maybe about the story of Solomon Browne but no... It is next heroic Penlee Lifeboat crew doing their thing! I have sailed with Arun class lifeboat and I have to admit... It is brilliant boat... I can't imagine how good is Severn! Keep up good work RNLI!

[@rnli]

Thank you. It's fantastic to hear you've sailed in the Arun class lifeboat - what an experience that must have been! We're so grateful for our incredible crews throughout our 200 years of saving lives at sea, as well as the fantastic people that support them 🥰

[@tugboats79]

@@rnli one Arun class lifeboat is working in Tallinn Estonia as crewboat and if nessesary then could be used as SAR vessel as well... Right now her name is HABE... I was skipper on it for a while 😊

[@rnli]

Awesome 👍

[@steveakamouser]

Amazing congrats to all

[@rnli]

Thank you, Stephen 🙂

[@edmann2433]

Patch is a LEGEND ❤

[@jools2323]

Nothing but respect for these folk.

[@rnli]

🙌

[@ManxAndy]

The dedication and skill of all those involved, in such trying conditions…is so justifiably recognised, true hero’s all…👍👌🇮🇲

[@rnli]

We couldn't agree more Andy - our volunteers are everyday legends 💛

[@grahamfree3175]

Thanks you RNLI, our 4th Emergency Service ❤

[@rnli]

Powered by people like you Graham, who support us and donate 🙌

[@mg6026]

What a fantastic video of bravery and teamwork at its best. Well done lads !

[@rnli]

Thank you Michael!

[@QHarefield]

I am watching this from the safety and security of my own home, and yet the filming is so good that it's as though I were really there. I felt emotionally involved with you all - gut-wrenchingly so. Thank you for this video, and, more importantly, thank you for your bravery and for all you do.

[@rnli]

Thank you for your support and admiration for our crew. They can only do what they do because of supporters like you 😊

[@Birkguitars]

For those not used to the power of water the full extent of the danger this crew sailed into may not be apparent. Every cubic metre of water weighs a tonne. Being hit by a one metre wave is like being hit by a small car. Being hit by a seven metre wave is like being hit by a house. And these people are volunteers. They do this because they see the need and answer the call. They are the very best of us.

[@rnli]

Thanks, this really helps to visualize what our amazing volunteer crew were up against 👍

[@nickpage4333]

@@Birkguitars I was told years ago only the Coxswain and Mechanic are paid and the RNLI Would not let the government pay each member as they would want to run the service which it's not about.So they rely on donations legacies etc

[@Birkguitars]

@nickpage4333 To be honest I don't know which crew at which station are paid but I know that it is predominantly volunteers who make up the crew and I am in awe of them. I grew up by the sea back in the days before pagers when maroons were used to signal a shout so everyone in the town knew when the lifeboat was heading out. Unfortunately not everyone they went out for made it back. I have been an RNLI member for many years and plan to remain so for as long as I can.

[@gjones455]

Incredibly brave men, hat’s off to you all, huge respect

[@rnli]

We're so thankful for our incredible crews, and the people that support them 💙

[@rnli]

We're so thankful for our incredible crews, and the people that support them 💙

[@StevenJohnson-jv1iw]

Cudos to your crew. NSRI Simonstown salutes you

[@rnli]

We love hearing from a fellow rescue service Steven - thanks for your congratulations for our brave volunteers 🧡

[@chriswilson6069]

🫡 salute these heroes

[@rnli]

Thanks for your support Chris 💙

[@user-zj4gz9tr8s]

Brave lads

[@DuncanEdwards-h8k]

What do they have to do to get a gold medal or certificate? Die ? I know all but one of The Solomon Browne only got bronze, just the coxswain with gold, & they all died, hero's all the same. Bravery you could only imagine if not told about it. God bless them all, the ones still living, &, the ones who gave their lives. None will ever be forgotten.

[@rnli]

Hi Duncan, the medal can be awarded for saving life at sea in gold, silver and, since 1917, in bronze. While awards are now only made to lifeboat crew who risk their lives in rescue attempts, a number of nineteenth century medals were bestowed on others who saved lives from the sea.

[@paulgovan3507]

Thanks to all - but wasn't it the helicopter heroes who saved them and took them all back to shore ? Or were any on the yacht actually rescued by and taken back to shore by the lifeboat?

[@rnli]

We're so proud of them all, Paul. The conditions were too difficult for that, which is why the helicopter was requested, read more here rnli.org/news-and-media/2024/october/12/penlee-rnli-lifeboat-crew-have-received-silver-medal-for-gallantry-certificates

[@caroleminke6116]

Ignorance is bliss 😉 sounds like the shoe fits 👍 so wear it

[@helmhurst]

Legends

[@rnli]

🙌

[@karlbrundage7472]

Lifeboats!!!!!!!

[@rnli]

AKA the best boats 🙌 If you're not already subscribed to our channel Karl, do join us for more amazing lifeboat content - here's our KZbin highlights to get you started kzbin.info/www/bejne/aGWriJxufLtqqtEsi=vuPY-lj40RmdWJbN

[@Durka-Durka01]

Dinghy divers!!!