STILL wearing their best suits for the Queen's visit, members of the RNLI lifeboat crew were called out on a shout just hours after meeting royalty.
The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh were shown the Mersey class all-weather lifeboat, the Princess Royal, which two hours later was launched to rescue a stricken fishing boat off Zennor.
Derek Hall, operations manager of St Ives lifeboat station, who gave Prince Philip a tour of the station, said: "It was a huge honour and a wonderful experience. He seemed to have a real interest in the station and the work that we do."
He said the crew were called out around 3.30pm after the royal visit to help an 18ft Plymouth Pilot boat the Janet Ann, which had suffered engine failure.
Although another fishing boat, Suzie, was in the area and towing the Janet Ann, there were serious concerns the vessel would not be able to tow her to safety and so the lifeboat was called.
Coxswain Paul Whiston said: "When we got there the boats were getting close to the Three Stone Oar rocks off Pendeen. Suzie had the Janet Ann in tow, but were struggling to get anywhere. We took over and towed her back to St Ives."
While making their way back the crew also became concerned for the Suzie as she was not able to make the same speed as the lifeboat, and the St Ives inshore lifeboat Colin Bramley Parker was also launched to ensure everything was OK.
Fortunately when they reached the Suzie she was by then making good progress home.
The boat returned to St Ives at 5.30pm with the Janet Ann.