Penlee Lifeboat Disaster - RNAS Sea King Helicopter

RNAS Sea King Helicopter

In light of the closeness of the ship to the beach, the Coastguard at Falmouth summoned a Royal Navy Sea King helicopter from 771 Naval Air Squadron, RNAS Culdrose. It used call sign "Rescue 80" during the mission.

The aircraft (airframe XZ574) was flown that night by United States Navy exchange-pilot Lt Cdr Russell Smith, assisted by Lt Steve Marlow, S/Lt Kenneth Doherty and Lacmn Martin Kennie of the Royal Navy. However, due to the extreme wave conditions, they were unable to winch anyone off the ship.

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