Drifting sailing vessel triggers launch for Fishguard RNLI

Fishguard RNLI volunteers were paged at 10.03am on Monday 14 July 2025 with a request from HM Coastguard to launch the charity’s Trent class all-weather lifeboat Blue Peter VII to assist the single crew member of a 16ft sailing vessel which was drifting towards rocks at the North end of Newport beach.

The lifeboat was launched and whilst en-route crew prepared lines to establish a bow tow which could be passed quickly to the casualty to remove the vessel from immediate danger should the need arise.

As the lifeboat arrived on scene it was joined shortly after by a safety boat which had also been requested from Newport Yacht Club and had agreed to take the vessel under tow.

With the tow established the lifeboat escorted the two vessels back to safe water where it was then stood down by HM Coastguard and returned to station.

Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for Fishguard RNLI, Cedwyn Rogers, said:

‘The lifeboat attended and when on scene it was determined that the smaller safety boat was capable of establishing a tow and taking the sailing vessel the whole way back to a mooring. The lifeboat escorted the two vessels with equipment ready to step in should the need arise, however both made it to safe water without incident.’

‘In this case the crew member was able to summon assistance when required. I would like to take the opportunity to remind water users to ensure they are in possession of a means to call for help if needs be. This can be a handheld VHF radio, a mobile phone in a waterproof pouch, Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) or preferably a combination of these items.’

Notes to editor:

· The attached photo (Photo1) shows the all-weather Trent class lifeboat Blue Peter VII launching on service. (Monday 14 July 2025) Photo credit: RNLI/Cedwyn Rogers

RNLI Media Contacts

For more information please contact Cedwyn Rogers, Lifeboat Press Officer on [email protected] or RNLI Regional Communications Manager Claire Fitzpatrick-Smith on [email protected] / 07977 728 315 or Regional Communications Lead Danielle Rush on [email protected] or 07786 668 829

For out of hours enquiries please contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336 789

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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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