Four taskings for St Davids RNLI lifeboats in one evening

The casualty vessel, with two people on board, was disabled due to equipment failure and unable to sail or motor effectively.

With the boat adrift in a northerly wind, the St Davids all-weather lifeboat coxswain decided the best course of action to save both crew and vessel was to tow to the safety of Fishguard harbour. Shortly after commencing the tow, the casualty vessel reported intermittent ingress of water due to the choppy sea conditions. The tow was temporarily suspended, and the lifeboat’s daughter boat was deployed to transfer two volunteer crew and a salvage pump across in tricky sea conditions.

With an inspection of the vessel completed and the salvage pump comfortably handling the water ingress, it was deemed safe to continue the tow to Fishguard.

Whilst all-weather lifeboat Norah Wortley and her crew were at sea, a second request for assistance was made at 7.43pm to reports of four kayakers in difficulty off St Davids head. Inshore lifeboat Marian and Alan Clayton were soon on scene where the four kayakers were quickly located. All were well equipped and experienced with the correct safety gear and in no need of assistance, so the shout was deemed a false alarm with good intent.

Meanwhile the all-weather lifeboat arrived with the casualty vessel under tow off Fishguard breakwater at approximately 11pm. St Davids ALB had requested the assistance of Fishguard inshore lifeboat to help recover the casualty vessel into lower town Fishguard Harbour.

Whilst shortening the tow, the third tasking of the evening was received after a member of the public called 999 with concerns for a vessel which they believed to be out of control in the Trefin area.

The casualty catamaran was left with Fishguard inshore lifeboat, who now also had the support of Fishguard all-weather lifeboat.

St Davids all-weather lifeboat proceeded to Trefin and conducted a shoreline search of the area from Trefin to Abercastle. Upon arrival at Abercastle, six vessels within the harbour matched the first informants details, and with nothing further untoward reported it was deemed a false alarm with good intent.

Leaving Abercastle harbour, the fourth tasking of the evening was made by HM Coastguard as another 999 call had been received with concerns for the safety of a missing person in the St Davids area near the lifeboat station. Making best speed back towards Ramsey sound the tasking request was stood down some ten minutes later after the person was found safe and well.

St Davids all-weather lifeboat returned to the station and rehoused at approximately 00.30am.

Will Chant, RNLI Coxswain for St Davids RNLI lifeboat, said: ‘This was a very busy evening for St Davids volunteers, with the all-weather crew arriving back at station over six hours after launching. This would not be possible without the dedication of our crew, both afloat and back at shore, ensuring the lifeboats are ready for action.’

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For more information please telephone Simone Eade, RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07799 804 922 or [email protected] or Claire Fitzpatrick-Smith, Regional Communications Manager on 07977 728 315 or [email protected] or contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.

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The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,700 lives.

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